China's southern city of Guangzhou has reported massive deaths
of ducks in a village which are suspected to be a bird flu
outbreak, according to information posted on the website of the
Ministry of Agriculture.
On September 5, farmers in Sixian village, Xinzao Township in
the Panyu district of Guangzhou started to report death of their
ducks, and by September 13, 9,830 ducks had been reported dead, it
said.
Samples of dead ducks were sent to the provincial animal disease
prevention and control center, and initial lab tests showed the
samples were positive with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.
Samples have been also sent to the National Avian Influenza
Reference Laboratory for testing and the result is yet to be
announced.
Local veterinary authorities had culled about 32,630 ducks as of
September 14, it said.
Sources with the provincial department of agriculture said they
have sent staff to disinfect the affected area, and no further
deaths of fouls have been reported in the Panyu district or nearby
areas.
As the world's largest producer of poultry, livestock and
aquatic products, China has much to lose from outbreaks of animal
diseases. It is estimated that animal diseases cost China 40
billion yuan annually.
China has reported a total of 25 human cases of bird flu since
2003, which have resulted in 16 deaths.
China's top legislature last month adopted the amendment to the
law on animal epidemic prevention, which requires all animal owners
to comply with compulsory vaccination policies, especially owners
of poultry and livestock bred in rural backyards, and pets owners
in urban houses.
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2007)