Bloomberg: China Denies Bird Flu Outbreaks Among Poultry, China Daily Says

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By William Bi

Feb. 6 (Bloomberg) -- China denied there have been outbreaks of bird flu among poultry since January in the provinces where eight human infections were reported, the official China Daily said, citing the Ministry of Agriculture.

Human infection with the avian-influenza virus doesn’t necessarily indicate an outbreak among poultry, according to the newspaper, which cited a statement from the ministry. The ministry was replying to remarks by international organizations that suggested possible outbreaks among poultry in China, the newspaper said.

Of the 37 human bird-flu cases in China since 2005, only 4 were linked to outbreaks in poultry, the newspaper said, citing the ministry. The government also denied outbreaks among poultry occurred in Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong, China Daily said.

Human avian-influenza cases will continue to rise, the newspaper said, citing Shu Yuelong, director of the Chinese National Influenza Center of the Ministry of Health.

Calls by Bloomberg News to the Ministry of Agriculture weren’t returned.

To contact the reporters on this story: William Bi in Beijing at wbi@bloomberg.net.