This day in bird flu history

We all know of the first bird flu death in Shanghai a week ago, in addition to the stepped-up efforts of the local government to prevent any kind of spread. Now, Jiao Yang, spokesperson for the Shanghai government just reassured us in this Xinhua report (in Chinese) that “new cases of infected human or bird are not detected yet in the city.” But he also pointed out it’s difficult to control and prevent the spread of the disease in Shanghai because of the dense population and high traffic in and out of the city. Therefore, the government has taken five measures to prevent and control the disease. They include:

1. Immunity and disinfection. Shanghai has started mandatory immunity system at all families in order to cut out the infected source. Did anyone know this? Are we the only ones left out?
2. Enhance monitoring of the epidemic, provide daily report on all the birds inside the city, imported birds and migratory birds. There are 14 migratory bird observation stations in Shanghai.
3. Strict road control. Eight specified crossings are under 24-hour supervision.
4. Regulate the trade of live birds in the city. Bird markets must be closed at specific times and make further disinfection efforts.
5. All parties should work together to fight this epidemic.

That last one is our favorite. (Buy stock in Tamiflu.)