Defined as a Type A contagious disease by the World Organization for Animal Health, HPAI is designated as a Class One animal infectious disease in China. In compliance with China's rules and regulations for the prevention and quarantine of animal epidemics, in the event of a suspected HPAI case being discovered, quarantine, blockade and further verification should be carried out. Once HPAI has been identified, the affected area should be immediately blocked off with infected poultry destroyed and surrounding areas thoroughly disinfected in an effort to halt the further spread of the epidemic.

In the meantime, to prevent the spread of the epidemic, farmers should put the general interest first by acting cooperatively even though some losses will be incurred. And, the governments at various levels concerned must see to it that the due compensation payments are made to each and every household affected.

(China.org.cn February 13, 2004)