Disease risk 'increased' in spring

Natural disasters and the movement of migratory birds are increasing the threat of serious animal epidemic outbreaks this spring, a top agriculture official said Thursday.

Many of the regions devastated by the recent snowstorms have dense populations of waterfowl that can raise the risk of epidemics, Yin Chengjie, vice-minister of agriculture, said.

His warning followed the reemergence of bird flu in the country, with the disease claiming its third fatality of the year on Monday.

In addition to the rainfall in southern regions making the bird flu virus more active, disruption to the transport network and shortages of water and power have led to the vaccination of livestock being postponed, which makes them more vulnerable to disease, he said.

Frequent deliveries of poultry and livestock in the wake of natural disasters and the presence of migratory birds add to the risk of an epidemic occurring, Yin said.

"Local livestock and husbandry departments should take precautions to prevent animal epidemics such as bird flu and make preparations for disease control," he said.

He did not specify which regions were most at risk.