Bird Flu

cctv.com 02-12-2004 16:50

After setting off alarms in nine Asian counties, the bird flu has now spread to China. The country reported its first case last Tuesday. Since then, the Chinese have been on daily alert for reports of bird flu, and China has intensified its surveillance and quarantine efforts. Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visited affected areas early this week. During his inspection, the premier sent the message to local people that, although it will be a tough job, the government will step up its efforts to deal with the disease.

This is Long'an County in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region where the first Chinese bird flu case was confirmed last week, almost a month after South Korea reported Asia's first case of the epidemic. The local government took immediate measures. Behind this cordon line, there's no sign of human or animal life. The farmers have been evacuated and the birds culled. All poultry within a three-kilometer radius of the farm has been slaughtered.

Gan Qianzhong, Deputy Chief of Longan County, said, "Our main task now is to quarantine the entire county. If there's no recurrence of the disease, human health will be guaranteed."

Up till now, 14,000 birds have been slaughtered in nearby areas and even more have been quarantined.

Checkpoints have also been set up on all roads leading to the farms to ensure that the disease isn't spread by cars or other forms of transport. Disinfectants have also been sprayed over the suspected areas. With these prompt measures, Guangxi authorities are very confident they have contained the outbreak.

Lu Bing, chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said, "It was an isolated case. We've controlled the areas and we're confident that the virus won't spread, and that those who have had contact with the infected birds haven't been infected."

Meanwhile, authorities have intensified safety inspection and quarantine measures for poultry sold on the market. Birds from other places are still available at the local market.

For most people in the region, the bird flu is on their minds. But it's not something they're worrying about too much. For them, it's business as usual. In this marketplace about half an hour’s drive from the infected farm, life goes on as normal. There are no signs of panic.

Local Resident said, "We're just a bit worried. But we just have to be extra careful when eating poultry." Another said, “The virus has not spread to this place, although it's close to the infected farm." Those feeling the most pain now are these poultry sellers. Since the outbreak of the disease, business has fallen by more than 50 percent. The local government has collected the equivalent of 50,000 US dollars to compensate farmers for their slaughtered poultry. 40-year-old Lu Xiuhai lost 40 chickens. But his economic losses are limited.

Even though measures have been taken, the deadly influenza has spread fast to 10 provinces and municipalities. The Chinese Premier toured the parts of central Hubei and eastern Anhui provinces affected by the flu and promised compensation for farmers. Central authorities have issued strict guidelines to try and control the further spread of the disease. All poultry found within five kilometers of affected sites must be vaccinated. And all birds, even vaccinated ones, found within three-kilometers of affected sites, must be culled.

To help cope with the disease, the State Council has established a National Bird Flu Prevention headquarters to coordinate prevention measures. The quick response and effective measures this time have gained the commendation of the World Health Organization.

In the meantime, China has asked its scientists to join in the battle against the flu. The China Disease Prevention and Control Center has asked its staff to be on standby around the clock in case of human infections. While maintaining a regular exchange of updated information with the WHO, the center has also dispatched medical personnel to carry out lab research and field monitoring.

Veterinarian Zhou Xianshu said, "The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, Special teams have been established to take care of the culling of poultry and the sterilization of coops and residences in all villages."

WHO analysts point out that public knowledge about how to contain the virus is extremely important. The Chinese public has joined training classes and is following guidelines to deal with the flu.

Agusto Pinto, WHO Medical Epidemiologist, said, "It is better to wear first prevention defense, like mask and glove. After work, they should wash hands and avoid touching their face."

People across the nation who have been alarmed by the bird flu are now gearing up to keep the epidemic at bay. And the battle waged against the virulent bird flu has reminded many Chinese of last year's confrontation with SARS. But this time, it seems the nation is better prepared for what may lie ahead.

While the bird flu spreads rapidly across China, the battle between humans and the virus is mounting at a similar speed. What is response of the Chinese to this deadly epidemic and what measures are being taken by local and central governments to control the situation?

Editor:Zhang  Source:CCTV.com