Beijing officials have decided to take emergency measures to guard against the possible import of bird flu.

All districts and counties have been required to strengthen supervision of poultry health and ensure safety of poultry products.

Quarantine staff will be sent to check poultry health at all farms and examine whether the farm workers show symptoms related to the disease.

Quarantine checks will also be strengthened in fowl abattoirs, vehicles transporting fowl products and markets selling fowl.

Bird flu has hit several neighboring countries around China. The Beijing city government has warned any department derelict in spotting possible epidemic cases or trying to cover them up will be punished seriously.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2004)