Monday, April 8, 2013

China paper says farm sector raises bird flu risk

Seed Daily via AFP: A state-backed Chinese newspaper Sunday blamed "intense" farming methods for heightening the risk of deadly diseases such as H7N9 bird flu crossing from animals to humans.

China has confirmed 18 cases -- including six deaths -- of the new strain of avian influenza, so far confined to its developed east coast, since announcing a week ago that the virus had been discovered in humans for the first time.

"Normally, diseases are likely to break out in poor areas. Why is it the other way around in China?" the Global Times editorial said.

"In China's southern and eastern coastal areas, agriculture, especially animal husbandry, has become more intense and populations more dense," said the English-language edition of the paper, known for its pro-China stance.

"There is greater chance of contact between humans and animals and subsequent diseases. Local authorities have to develop disease prevention and control methods to match this situation, but this is a weak spot in the country's overall development."...

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