The bird island in Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China, has closed to visitors due to recently reported bird flu cases.

The concerned department of Qinghai Province, northwest China, has established two inspection and quarantine stations on the road leading to the bird island to prevent entry.

The 0.27-square-kilometer bird island is home to more than 100,000 birds including rare species such as swan, black-necked cranes and brown-headed gull. Large numbers of visitors flock to the bird island to see birds each year.

Death of migratory birds was first reported in Naisuoma Villagein Gangcha County on May 4. By May 8, the number of dead birds reached 178 on the bird island and in nearby areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture announced Saturday that the national bird flu reference laboratory confirmed that the deaths of the migratory birds in Gangcha reported on May 4 was caused by the deadly H5N1 virus.

The disease has not spread to humans and livestock, the ministry said.

The island will reopen after the bird flu is under control, sources said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2005)