The Chinese authorities say they are temporarily closing all live poultry markets in the city of Shanghai following an outbreak of bird flu that has killed six people. A city spokesman said the step was being taken for public safety after 14 people were diagnosed with the illness. All 20,000 birds at one market were slaughtered after the flu strain H7N9 was detected in pigeons there. Health officials believe people are contracting the virus through direct contact with infected fowl rather than with other people. Rebecca Gatsby spoke to the BBC's Jo Floto who is in Beijing and asked him for the latest news.
They're currently saying this is a small outbreak, only 14 cases currently reported. Of course, six people have died, that's quite a high mortality rate. But they're saying not a panic, but all precautions are being taken.
