Nine arrested over fake bird flu vaccine
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-30 22:36

The government warned this month that the use of fake vaccines in Liaoning could have disastrous consequences for China.

"The use of fake and shoddy vaccines will result in a disaster," Agriculture Minister Du Qingling said on November 9.

"If the vaccines are not up to standard, then immunization to the virus will not be uniform or effective. This could bring huge losses."

Farms in Liaoning were highly concentrated, Du said, meaning that any problems in vaccinating poultry could result in the epidemic spreading.

"If we miss the chance to exterminate the virus in the early stages, then the difficulty in wiping it out will increase by several times, as will the spread of the epidemic," Du said.

"We must fully recognize that at present there is a possibility that the epidemic will spread and expand. This is not an exaggeration just to scare people."