A leading mainland expert on respiratory diseases has warned the public to be aware that poultry can be infected with the bird flu virus but show no symptoms.
'Special attention should be paid to such animals, including those that have been vaccinated,' Zhong Nanshan told Xinhua.
'The existing vaccines can only reduce the amount of virus rather than totally inactivating it.'
Dr Zhong, of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is one of the scientists who helped control the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome in China in 2003. His warning comes after eight human cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza have been reported across the country since January 1, resulting in five deaths. Dr Zhong said more than half of those infected had no direct contact with birds, nor did they live in the areas where infected fowl with symptoms were reported. He urged people to minimise contact with all domestic fowl and birds.
'Have the chicken butchered in the market, not in your home,' he said.
Xinhua reported that a 29-year-old man who contracted bird flu last month in Guizhou had recovered and was released from hospital yesterday after 22 days of treatment.
