On Sunday, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed two new outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza, in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the central province of Hubei.

In a statement it said 176 chickens, ducks and geese died on Tuesday in the Inner Mongolian banner of Morin Dawa.

3,500 geese died on Wednesday in a development zone of Shishou City in Hubei.

Both had been confirmed as being caused by the H5N1 strain of bird flu by the national reference laboratory.

The ministry said it has sent teams of experts to help contain the disease, and local veterinary departments have culled poultry near affected areas.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2005)