City leaders urged all government departments to make every effort to support the central government-led fight against the spread of bird flu, which has become a global phenomenon, after a nationwide television conference yesterday afternoon.
At the conference, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu, who heads a national team tasked with bird-flu prevention and control, said that several tasks still needed to be done, including the refining of monitoring, warning and forecasting systems, enhancing immunization, strengthening international cooperation and maintaining a sound market environment for healthy poultry and related products.
Vice-Mayor Yang Xiaodu, Hu Yanzhao and health officials from across Shanghai attended the meeting.
Afterwards, Yang and Hu both gave speeches and told local officials to step up their efforts, adding that local government places great importance on public health.
The authorities issued new warnings urging local markets to strictly follow rules on the sale of live chickens, ducks and other fowl to prevent the possible spread of bird flu.
The Shanghai Economic Commission issued an urgent notice on Saturday reminding the city's three live-chicken wholesalers to halt trading once a week to carry out thorough sterilizations.
In addition, 461 live-chicken retailers were reminded that they must suspend business once every two weeks for cleanups.
Live ducks, pidgeons, quail and other fowl are banned from sale under the anti-bird-flu rules.

(Source: www.shanghai.gov.cn )