Bird flu reported at Chinese farms

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BEIJING, April 18 (UPI) -- An outbreak of bird flu was reported in northwestern China, resulting in the slaughter of 95,000 chickens, the Ministry of Agriculture said Wednesday.

The epidemic H5N1 bird flu virus was discovered Friday at several farms in the village of Touying in Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Xinhua reported.

More than 23,000 chickens showed symptoms of bird flu on Friday, which was then confirmed by the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory as H5N1 bird flu after samples from each farm were tested, a statement from the MOA said.

A total of 95,000 chickens were slaughtered after the H5N1 case was confirmed, the statement said.

"The epidemic is under control now," the statement said as the MOA dispatch a team the area to guide epidemic prevention.