Six cases, including four deaths, were reported in Shanghai, and three cases, including two deaths, were reported in east China's Zhejiang Province.

 

　　Elsewhere, Jiangsu Province reported six cases and Anhui Province one case.

 

　　China is now stepping up the tracing and management of close contacts, and the control of hospital-acquired infections, as well as tightening epidemic monitoring.

 

　　Beijing municipal health bureau has sent three groups of medical experts to check its local hospitals.

 

　　The inspection focused on treatment procedures and facilities to cope with patients infected with avian influenza H7N9.

 

　　Qi Shiming, Deputy Chief of the bureau's Medical Administration Section said preparations are well underway for treating infected patients.

 

　　"The results of the inspection are satisfactory. The facilities and equipment are well prepared and the medical personnel have mastered necessary knowledge. Our medical experts also gave guidance on treatment procedures."

 

　　In the meantime, the municipal government of Shanghai has decided to suspend the live poultry markets in the city after H7N9 virus was detected in pigeons there.

 

　　A manager of the market where infected pigeons were found said all poultry has been culled.

 

　　"We have cleared the live poultry area in the market and slaughtered all live poultry there, regardless of whether or not they are infected."

 

　　Moreover, trading of farmed and wild live poultry in the wholesale markets and retail outlets will be banned, and and bird sanctuaries have been closed.

 

　　Tang Handong, a local official on animal disease control said Shanghai has stopped importing live poultry from outside the city.

 

　　"Live poultry are not allowed to enter Shanghai markets. And those that are already in the market will be immediately slaughtered if the H7N9 virus is detected."

 

　　Shanghai authorities will also expand the monitoring areas and strengthen its monitoring, especially in areas where live poultry farms are concentrated and migrating birds will stop.

 

　　For CRI, I am Wei Tong.