BEIJING, Sept. 27 -- Shenzhen's disease prevention and control center has created a four-level warning system to prevent against possible outbreak of the avian flu pandemic and strengthen protection of people prone to the disease.

    The World Health Organization has warned that the recent outbreak of avian influenza in Southeast Asian countries could be the premonition of next global influenza pandemic. The H5N1 virus could most probably be the source of next outbreak. However, there is no effective vaccine against the disease.

    No avian flu virus has been found in Shenzhen, according to the disease prevention and control center. But the center has taken a series of measures aiming to improve the early warning system, cut down on the opportunities for the pandemic virus to emerge, and accelerate vaccine development.

    A number Southeast Asian countries have reported outbreaks of avian flu in the poultry population. There have also been cases of human infection though there is no evidence to show that the virus could spread from person to person.

    A citywide influenza monitoring network has been set up, and countermeasures been deployed, based on the seriousness of the possible outbreak. The center has set up eight hospitals for flu monitoring. Monitoring venues also include schools and residential areas. The disease prevention and control center in each district has also set up flu virus monitoring labs.

    The center also strengthened the protection and monitoring of people engaged in the poultry trade. Meanwhile poultry is also under special monitoring on guard against the outbreak of avian flu.

    People over 60 and children under three are strongly advised to take the current influenza vaccines.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily)