BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Two previously suspected outbreaksof the H5N1 strain of bird flu have been confirmed by the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory, with no new suspected cases reported over the past four days since Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture announced Friday.

    The new infected regions are Huayin City of Shaanxi and Anning City of Yunnan, two provinces in the west China area.

    The local governments have taken measures against the disease by culling poultry in the affected areas and imposing prompt quarantine restrictions, said the ministry.

    To date, the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has been confirmed in 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions on the Chinese mainland. Enditem