Guangdong has discussed measures to prevent new human infections of the avian flu in the wake of Sunday's confirmation of the death of a 32-year-old man in the South China province.

The victim, surnamed Lao, developed symptoms of fever and pneumonia on February 22. He had been staying near a live poultry market while carrying out surveys of the site, according to an official statement.

The provincial government said that it has implemented measures to boost efforts to inoculate all poultry and fowl in the province, and to enhance supervision over markets, ensuring that only quarantined birds are allowed in.

In addition, more money will be allocated to prevention and control, disinfecting markets, and increasing publicity efforts.

No other human cases of bird flu have been detected in Guangzhou, Minister of Health Gao Qiang said yesterday.

He also reiterated that there is, to date, no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus in China.

The Hong Kong government suspended the import of live poultry from neighboring Guangdong province on Sunday night.

China had previously reported 14 human cases of bird flu, eight of which resulted in death.

(Xinhua News Agency and China Daily March 6, 2006)