Ministries order tighter control

Health and agriculture authorities across the country have tightened monitoring at markets and hospitals, following the central government's call for daily reports on the bird flu situation.

On Tuesday, the central government issued a circular ordering local government agencies to work together to improve supervision at live poultry markets, which, according to some experts, is key to the control and prevention of bird flu.

Under the ruling, local offices must maintain a 24-hour presence at the markets. If bird flu is detected or suspected, officials must instigate an emergency response procedure, which includes identifying the source and isolating anyone that has been in close contact with infected birds.