Shanghai closes poultry markets over bird flu

The Chinese city of Shanghai is temporarily closing its poultry markets due to the H7N9 bird flu outbreak, officials say.

A spokesman for the city authorities said the decision was taken on grounds of public safety.

The city has already begun a mass slaughter of poultry after the virus was discovered in pigeons at a market.

Six people have died in this latest outbreak. The H7N9 virus is a form of avian flu not before seen in humans.

It is not yet known how people are catching the disease, although the WHO says there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

Four of the bird flu fatalities in China have been recorded in Shanghai.

The city is also treating another person who was in close contact with one of those who died after showing flu-like symptoms.

Officials have ordered the slaughter of at least 20,000 birds after the virus was detected in pigeons sold in Huhuai market.