It is possible that China will have outbreaks of bird flu in spring, in addition to more reports of human infections, according to Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday, during a televised national conference on the prevention and control of the disease.

 

Migrating birds moving around en masse during the spring is the main contributing factor to a possible outbreak, Hui said, adding that there have been many recent reports of infections in other parts of the world.

 

The forecast is based on a comprehensive analysis of the situation to date, Hui said. He called on citizens to be aware of the gravity of bird flu and to make every effort to implement preventative measures.

 

Hui is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the national headquarters on the prevention and control of the highly infectious disease.

 

Despite certain achievements in tackling bird flu last year, prevention and control continue to prove a major challenge for China, Hui said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2006)