The bird flu spreads strongly in China

There are two new outbreaks in China despite hundreds of millions of children being vaccinated. Reports of bird flu take place almost daily, showing great challenges in controlling the virus here.

The two new outbreaks raised the total number of Chinese translation points to 15 in about a month. In Liaoning province, the most heavily affected area, about 72,000 health workers spread everywhere to implement anti-influenza measures, including mandatory vaccination for poultry, health checks twice. every day for all farmers living around the epidemic. The officials were also ordered: "If you are too tired, close your eyes for a moment to relax and then resume your work", said a representative of the Liaoning provincial government, Zhou Liwei.

Although the disease is spreading, Beijing says, 174 farmers exposed to the first two bird flu patients did not show symptoms. The first bird flu victims were a woman who died and a boy recovered, also a suspected case. All are exposed to sick poultry.

Chinese experts believe that migratory birds are the main cause of outbreaks and vaccination of domestic poultry is the best way to cut off the disease transmission line between wild and raised birds.

The shadow of bird flu encompasses the atmosphere of the summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Forum, including 21 member countries, which opened Friday. Australian Prime Minister John Howard urged countries to set aside "national reservations or pride" to be ready to report on the disease.

The final statement of APEC leaders is to consider the prevention of spreading bird flu as a top priority task besides issues such as trade liberalization and terrorism.

The UN has just announced it will build an early warning system, which will map maps of migratory bird routes, to effectively prevent bird flu globally. This program will include migration patterns and high-risk areas, ie where domestic poultry are easily exposed to the most pathogenic migratory birds. The new monitoring system will be completed in the next 2 years. The United Nations is calling for investment in the project.

Meanwhile, Africa is becoming the center of concern for experts as the land is about to welcome millions of migrating migratory birds, mainly waterbirds from Europe, Russia and Asia. It is predicted that poor infrastructure here will facilitate the spread of disease. Africa has about 1.1 billion chickens raised. This region also lacks serious veterinarians, epidemiologists and laboratories. All 23 African countries have never had a surveillance system.

My Linh (according to AFP, Reuters)