Ministry of Agriculture officials said in Beijing on Monday that all confirmed avian influenza outbreaks on the mainland have been effectively put under control, but that the situation remains serious overall.

Quarantines imposed on the first three epidemic-hit areas have been removed, said Li Jinxiang, deputy director of the ministry's veterinary bureau, when briefing a group of representatives from embassies and agencies of international organizations.

These three areas were in Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Tianchang City in east China's Anhui Province, and Xiangtan County in the central province of Hunan.

Earlier yesterday, vice agriculture minister Yin Chengjie said the overall battle against bird flu remains grim.

Since the beginning of this year, China has confirmed 21 bird flu outbreaks in nine provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Stringent rules were issued by the State Council on Sunday that require provincial governments to report major animal outbreaks to them within four hours of learning about them.

With the new rules, Li said agricultural bodies will improve emergency responses to animal epidemics and strengthen prevention and control work.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2005)