>>>Special Report: Fighting Against Bird Flu

China's chief veterinarian Jia You Lin Friday denied the existence and spreading of a new strain of H5N1 bird flu in its Fujian Province as reported by a science journal in the United States.

"In fact, there is no such thing as a new Fujian strain at all," Jia said at a press conference hosted by the press office of the State Council, China's cabinet.

"The date used in the article is not true. Its method of research is not scientific. Its conclusion can not be established and is completely against the fact," Jia said.

He was referring to a recent article on the U.S. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which says the new strain has already spread to Malaysia, the Laos and Thailand, and may cause a major outbreak in Asia and Europe.

Jia Youling also gave a short introduction on bird flu prevention and control in Chinese mainland cities. In his report, seven Chinese provinces have reported 10 cases of bird flu outbreaks so far this year, with 90,000 poultry infected.

A total of 3,641 migratory birds have died of bird flu in Qinghai province and Tibet in northwestern China.

Reports from the Chinese Ministry of Health said a total of 20 human infections have been reported since 2005. Seven cases were reported last year and 13 cases took place so far this year.

Jia Youling pointed out the Chinese government has informed the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), World Health Organization and relevant authorities in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of each case without delay.
 
Editor: Yan