The outbreak was confirmed by the national bird flu laboratory on Wednesday, and the number of dead wild bird had risen to 123 by Thursday, the ministry said on its website.

Dead bar-headed gooses were first spotted by local herdsmen in a wetland in Yushu County on April 23. Veterinarians rushed to the site and found 17 dead gooses.

The samples were first sent to the provincial veterinary laboratory and later to the national bird flu laboratory for test. The test result on Wednesday confirmed it was highly contagious bird flu.

The epidemic area is 800 kilometers from the provincial capital Xining and 60 kilometers from the county town. There are neither residents nor domestic fowls in the epidemic area, which is very high and cold, the ministry said.

The area has been put under close surveillance with due disinfection measures taken.

As a precaution, cattle and sheep in nearby areas have been moved to farther pastures.

Local residents have been informed of the bird flu outbreak and told to take preventive measures. Enditem