Bird flu outbreak in Xinjiang

A new outbreak of bird flu has been detected in the north western region of Xinjiang, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed outbreaks in the country to 26 this year. Eleven birds that were found dead in Yaer township in Tulufan city on November 17 have since been confirmed as carrying the H5N1 strain of the virus. Xinjiang's veterinary department has ordered the culling of all poultry within three kilometers of the outbreak, resulting in 5,180 fowls being destroyed.