Dazhu County, the latest bird flu outbreak site in southwest China's Sichuan Province, has been taking strict measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

Poultry in the affected areas have been culled. The Local government has been providing medical observation for the people in close contact with the affected poultry.

Disinfecting stations were set up at all roads leading into and outside of the county. Meanwhile, the county has shut down all its 54 live poultry markets amid various efforts to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

No human cases have been reported, according to the local government.

Between December 22 and 25 in 2005, 1,800 chickens and ducks died in three households in Liuyan Village in Yangjia Township. The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the outbreak to be H5N1 bird flu on January 3.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)