Authorities in Pingtan county have stepped up supervision and management at local poultry markets amid rising concerns about H7N9 avian flu, Pingtan Times reported.

A total of 15 human H7N9 infections were discovered in the first half of January, though none of them are from Pingtan.

Nevertheless, authorities have taken up more measures to monitor slaughtering, processing and sales of live poultry in the markets. The merchants and farmers have been required to improve disinfection and harmless treatment efforts, said Lin Xuehua, an official with the county agricultural bureau.

The Bureau will carry out a thorough disinfection at all farms and poultry markets during the next stage, he said.