China's quarantine authorities have announced a ban on the import of pet birds and wild birds from countries that have recorded cases of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

 

In an emergency circular issued on Monday, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine called for improved supervision and inspection at ports to prevent cross-border contamination.

 

The administration said it has also revoked licenses previously issued permitting the entry of such birds or related products from those countries.

 

The measures were in response to increasing number of reports of bird flu outbreaks in including Kuwait, Italy, Germany, Iran, France and Egypt.

 

The administration also ordered quarantine departments at various ports to screen visitors from these countries who appear to be feverish or who are coughing -- typical symptoms of the disease.

 

The administration called for more detailed inspection of luggage and parcels, saying all pet or wild birds or related products will be returned to their countries of origin or destroyed if they are discovered.

 

Overseas passenger ships, planes and trains that transit through China are also subject to prevention and control measures.

 

Birds from those countries that are brought into China illegally will be culled, according to the circular.

 

In another development, China's Agriculture Minister Du Qinglinon on Monday called on Chinese citizens to work harder to prevent a possible large-scale outbreak of avian flu in the spring.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)