There are possibilities of bird flu outbreaks in China during spring and more cases of infected humans may be reported, said Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday, at a televised national conference on the prevention and control of the disease.

The forecast is based on a comprehensive analysis, the Vice-Premier said, calling on people to be aware of the gravity of bird flu in the country and to make every effort to implement preventative measures.

Hui is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the national headquarters on the prevention and control of the highly infectious disease.

Despite major victories in the fight against bird flu since last year, it is still a lengthy and tough job for China to prevent and control the disease, said the official.

As migrating birds move around en masse during the Spring, there are likely to be more epidemic cases, Hui said, noting that there have been reports of bird flu in many countries and regions, in the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia.

He urged all localities to step up monitoring the bird flu situation in 2006, the first year of the 11th Five-Year Program (2006-2010) period. Those who have been suspected of being infected of bird flu must be reported, diagnosed and treated promptly, he stressed.

Source: Xinhua