As many as eight dead and live mice were found on a United Airlines' (UA) flight from Washington to Beijing, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said in Beijing on Monday.

The UA reported to the Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday afternoon after its arrival that they found live mice on the flight UA897.

An emergency team was immediately dispatched to the aircraft. All the entries to the plane were shut down for further examination.

The team put rat poison and mice traps at every possible corners on the aircraft, including the cockpit.

Eight mice, dead and live, were found at last, which were hidden in pillows. Live mice had been sent to labs for virus test.

Experts said that mice could spread more than 35 fatal virus, including plague spot and ship fever. In addition, they might bite circuits of the plane, and cause deadly accidents.

They also commented that it was very rare to find so many mice on one aircraft.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2008)