BEIJING: Chinese government has ordered temporary closure of a poultry market in Shanghai and culling of thousands of birds across the country as the death toll due to bird flu rose to six on Friday. Fourteen people have been identified with the deadly H7N9 virus and are being treated in different hospitals.
A worried agriculture ministry said the H7N9 virus had been detected in live pigeons on sale at a produce market in Shanghai. The city's agriculture committee put out a notice on Thursday ordering mass killing of birds in Shanghai. The market area was cordoned off with plastic tape.
The government-controlled television showed footage of animal health officials in protective overalls and masks working through the night at the market, taking notes as they stood over piles of poultry carcasses in plastic bags. Health officials said the virus is spreading when people come in contact with affected birds. But there is evidence that it is not being spread by human contact.
