Three previously suspected outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of bird flu have been confirmed by the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory, the Ministry of Agriculture announced Thursday.

The bird flu infected regions are Huanggang City of Hubei and Chenzhou City of Hunan, two provinces in the south China area, and Baicheng City in northeastern China's Jilin Province.

The local government has taken measures against the disease by culling poultry in the affected areas and imposing prompt quarantine restrictions, said the ministry.

At the same time, the reference laboratory excluded three previously suspected outbreaks reported in Anning and Xigu districts and Jingyuan County of Lanzhou City in northwestern China's Gansu Province, according to the ministry.

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2004)