Zhong Nanshan, a renowned medical expert and academician with
the Chinese Academy of Engineering, warned on Friday that the bird
flu epidemic would absolutely expand to more areas globally this
year.
But it does not necessarily mean that more human cases of the
epidemic will occur," said Zhong, member of the National Committee
of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
(CPPCC).
The bird flu epidemic has spread from Asia to Europe, the Middle
East and even Africa, according to Zhong.
There have already been 168 human cases of bird flu throughout
the world, among whom, 88 have died so far, Zhong said at the
sideline of the ongoing
CPPCC National Committee annual session.
In China, 14 human cases have been found, of which eight have
died, according to Zhong.
"Although the death rate of human cases of bird flu is high, it
has been found that most people are not infected even if they have
had contact with dead birds carrying the virus," he said.
"But I still worry about the current condition," Zhong said.
Firstly, the bird flu epidemic is spreading with an
unprecedented rate.
Secondly, wild birds that carry the virus can possibly infect
people.
Thirdly, some other animals are also infected with the
virus.
"This will possibly result in a variation of the virus," he
said.
The Chinese government should attach great importance to the
issue, Zhong said.
Meanwhile, a new vaccinating campaign for domestic fowl in
Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, has been
launched this week to prevent the spread of bird flu in the coming
spring season.
Poultry kept scattered among local houses will be collected for
vaccination and every farm will be required to immunize their
cultivated fowl before the end of March, according to Sun Jingmiao,
vice-mayor of Hangzhou.
(China Daily March 4, 2006)
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