Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu urged local governments to fight against bird flu by relying on law, science and masses so as to strictly prevent the spreading of the epidemic and human infection.

During a recent inspection tour to some poultry farms and villages in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Hui said the regulation on quick response to major epidemic among animals must be implemented conscientiously.

The Hehua Village of Chuxiong was hit by bird flu last month and quarantine at the region has been removed.

After inquiring about the epidemic prevention and control situation at the Hehua Village, Hui urged local officials and epidemic prevention workers to make redoubled efforts in bird flu control and prevention, while boosting healthy development of local poultry industry.

The epidemic situation in China is still serious and the task of prevention and control is arduous, Hui said.

Hui said that China must not underestimate the risk of bird flu expansion and the possible harm it will take to the poultry industry and people's health.

The related regulations must be fully carried out and quick response plans should be further improved, he said.

The quick response plan on human-infection of bird flu cases must be further improved to prevent the fatal disease from spreading to human beings, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2005)