Beijing's health authorities have announced nine measures to prevent the import of the highly infectious bird flu from abroad.

The city has set up a leading body in charge of bird flu prevention and control at all ports of entry, headed by Wei Chuanzhong, director of the Beijing Municipal Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine.

The government will provide local poultry farms, processing centers and import and export companies with timely information on the spread of avian influenza abroad and China's policies in dealing with the disease.

Measures have taken to ban imports and passenger luggage containing poultry products from bird flu-hit countries and regions. Transport and waste from affected regions will be disinfected.

Quarantine of poultry products for export will be strengthened.

The city will announce in due course the cases of intercepted poultry products.

The municipal agricultural and health department have enhanced cooperation and made public bird flu control developments on Internet.

The industrial and commercial, agricultural and health departments have combined efforts to inspect quarantine certificates on poultry products, increase selective examination of poultry products sold at markets and crack down on poultry smuggling.

Laboratories will import new equipment and enhance research on technologies for testing for the virus.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)