The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) held a video conference on Feb 21 about strengthening H7N9 prevention and control.

Li Bin, minister of the NHFPC, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

According to the conference, 16 provinces in China have reported H7N9 infections and deaths since January. As experts predicted, the current epidemic is under control, but the disease will spread further if it isn't strictly controlled through effective measures.

The top health authorities stressed that health departments at all levels should take all possible efforts to strictly control H7N9, decreasing the harm the epidemic may cause to people's health and safety.

According to the conference, the areas where H7N9 has been reported or live poultry was detected with H7N9 positive pathogens should close and sterilize these live poultry markets. Health departments at all levels should strengthen their epidemic monitoring to stop the infection from spreading. The NHFPC insists that medical institutions should try their best to treat the infected patients and safeguard people's safety. The national health department will release epidemic information in a timely manner and raise the public's awareness about the disease.

"Health departments at all levels should take on the responsibility and take effective measures fighting against the epidemic," Li vowed that local health departments across China will cooperate together to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

Relevant officials from local health departments attended the video conference.