It's a precautionary measure because of busy holiday period, say officials
Shenzhen yesterday activated its bird flu alert in anticipation of the large movement of people during the Lunar New Year.
The precaution was taken as a flu expert warned that Asia had reached 'the most critical stage' before a potential flu pandemic.
The city also stepped up inspections of 53 poultry farms for the deadly H5N1 bird flu which has jumped the species barrier since late 2003 in 10 Asian nations, killing 45 people. The farms produce chickens for sale in Hong Kong.
Travellers from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, South Korea and Japan will have to go through a health check before entering the city, the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau said.
'Bird flu has broken out in several neighbouring countries and it shows signs of spreading. Therefore we need to activate the alert mechanism,' said a spokesman for the bureau.
Visitors with flu-like symptoms will be quarantined for an unspecified period.
