28.01.2014

Authorities in eastern China have banned live poultry sales after an increase in the number of people infected with the H7N9 strain of avian influenza.

So far this year H7N9 has killed 19 people in China and infected 96.

A week ago more than 50 cases had been reported. The virus is believed to pass to humans through direct contact with infected birds.

Live poultry trading had been halted in three cities in coastal Zhejiang province, where 49 cases and 12 deaths have been reported. The province is inspecting farms and banning flights of domestic pigeons.

Neighbouring Shanghai will halt live poultry trading for three months starting on Friday. The city has reported eight infections and four deaths this year.

In Hong Kong authorities began culling 20,000 chickens and suspended imports of fresh poultry from mainland China for 21 days after the discovery of H7N9 in live chickens from the southern province of Guangdong.

Authorities also ordered the closure of the wholesale poultry market, where the virus was discovered, for 21 days until 18 February for cleaning and disinfection. Local farms were banned from supplying live chickens to the market.