Effective measures should be taken to enhance protection in the areas that have not been affected by bird flu, and to control the spread of the disease, scientists with the Ministry of Agriculture said Tuesday.

The prevention is a comprehensive project including complete disinfection of chicken farms and their surroundings, separating fowls from livestock, appropriate vaccination and necessary medical examinations, said the scientists.

Farmers who run small-scale chicken farms must pay attention to hygiene, and vaccinate their fowls if necessary. They should also operate under the inspection of local animal quarantine administrations, and report to local authorities immediately in case of any outbreak of bird flu.

Outbreaks may happen in any season, but are more likely in winter and spring, said experts from the National Bird Flu Prevention Headquarters, which was founded last week to deal with the problem. They explained that the flu virus, which is sensitive to temperature change, cannot live long in a hot environment, and is killed by ultra-violet rays in sunshine.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)