The national headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza prevention and control has demanded that government departments ensure circulation of poultry products while containing the disease’s spread, according to Xinhua News Agency on Sunday.

The headquarters said some local areas had restricted transportation of poultry products from non-affected areas, but with the New Year and Spring Festival drawing near demand for poultry products will rise.

The report said quarantine authorities should also strengthen supervision over live poultry trading and poultry product processing, whilst railway, highway, shipping and air transportation authorities should ensure smooth circulation of poultry products.

The headquarters added that people should be provided with more knowledge about bird flu prevention and safe consumption of poultry products.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2005)