First official case of avian influenza confirmed in the Peoples's Republic of China - CHINA - The Chinese Government confirmed on 27 January 2004 that the death of ducks in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was caused by avian influenza virus.

The national avian influenza reference laboratory confirmed, after testing on samples sent in by the local government that the death was caused by H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

The Ministry of Agriculture spokesman, Mr Jia Youling, said that after the cases were confirmed in Long'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the local government sealed the affected area, destroyed all poultry within a radius of three kilometers and quarantined all poultry within a radius of five kilometers in line with laws and regulations. Also prevention measures have been launched.

The OIE had requested Mr Jia Youling, Director General, Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Health to provide to the OIE complementary relevant information on avian influenza in his country.

The OIE will continue monitoring closely the disease spread in the country.

Source: Office International des Epizooties - 28th January 2004