Markets Close Due to Worsening H7N9 Bird Flu
CHINA – Poultry markets in two Chinese cities have been closed as the bird flu death toll continues to mount.A two week hiatus has been placed on Guangzhou markets, while Hangzhou has enforced a permanent ban in response to the year’s H7N9 bird flu death toll rising to 32.
The ban relates to all birds - both for meat and pets.
The announcements were reported last week by Xinhuanet, a Chinese news agency which said China has now recorded 120 cases in 2014.
An adverse effect on meat consumption has hit the catering sector. Southern and Eastern Chinese shoppers are particularly keen on chicken and duck.
The report said two new cases in the Guangdong Province currently had a ‘stable’ four year old girl and a ‘critically ill’ 79 year old man.
The agency reported a H7N9 case in a teenage girl who is now in a stable condition.
Further Reading
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