A bird flu outbreak resulted in the deaths of 4,850 poultry on December 29 in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The H5N1 virus was confirmed by a state laboratory on Thursday and 29,383 birds have been culled.

No human case was reported and authorities said yesterday that the situation was under control.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Yin Chengjie said in early December that the possibilities of regional bird flu outbreaks were "very high" in the winter and coming spring.

Yin added the situation was "not optimistic" as there had been cases of poultry infections in a "relatively large contaminated area."

The Spring Festival in early February is drawing near and more poultry will be transported and slaughtered for festival feasts, which could facilitate transmission of the disease.

Local departments have been ordered to step up immunization measures ahead of the festival, and monitor bird activities along the border and in water areas by increasing sample test numbers and frequencies of examinations.

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2008)