(AFP)
Updated: 2005-12-14 19:37

The government announced last month it intended to vaccinate its entire poultry industry, which is the world's biggest with 14 billion fowls produced each year, against bird flu.

The statement drew some criticism from international health experts, who cautioned that such a massive program may not be practical and could have unexpected negative consequences if not carried out properly.

The virus has killed more than 70 people in Asia since 2003, while China has reported just five confirmed human cases of bird flu this year, resulting in two deaths on November 10 and 11.

These statistics have led to some speculation that China has not provided a full account of its struggle with the virus.

Addressing such speculation, Jia told the briefing anyone who covered up bird flu cases or delayed the reporting of them would be severely punished.

"I cannot say that there has been no case of cover-up, but we can rely on the law and inspection efforts by the government," he said, adding that covering up an outbreak would not be easy.

"Every farmer and local official must know that he cannot hide an outbreak for long, because if they hide the outbreak it will eventually spread to other regions, and there will be an even bigger impact on the local government."

Scientists warn that continued contact between infected birds and humans may eventually result in the virus mutating into a form that could be easily passed on by humans, sparking a pandemic that could kill millions.

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