The ban is effective from Friday (17 March), and aims to prevent the spread of avian flu to humans. All poultry markets have been ordered to be cleaned and disinfected.

A total of 24 infections and five fatalities have been reported in Hunan Province as of February.

February and March are the key period to prevent the virus from spreading, experts have said, adding that more human infections are likely to be reported in Changsha due to frequent population movement in the capital city.

According to the National Health and Family Planning Commission, 79 people died nationwide in January from the virus.

Several provinces have measures to tackle the virus, with live poultry sales suspended in cities in Sichuan, Hunan, Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in China in March 2013. Infections usually occur in winter and spring.

Further Reading

You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.