DAZHU, Sichuan, Jan. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- No human cases of bird flu have been reported in Dazhu County, the latest bird flu outbreak site in southwest China's Sichuan Province, by Friday.

    The clinical observation for those in close contact with the affected poultry ended Friday and they will still receive close medical observation, said Zhao Xiaoguang, deputy director of Sichuan Provincial Health Department.

    The county has been taking emergent measures to curb the epidemic from spreading. Poultry in the affected areas have been culled. Disinfecting stations were set up at all roads leading into and outside of the county. Meanwhile, the county has shut down all its 54 live poultry markets amid various efforts to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

    Between Dec. 22 and 25 in 2005, 1,800 chickens and ducks died in three households in in Liuyan Village in Yangjia Township. The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the outbreak to be H5N1 bird flu on Jan. 3. Enditem