The National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory in China has confirmed two suspected outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

The infected regions are Huayin city of Shaanxi and Anning city of Yunnan, in west China, the agriculture ministry said.

The local governments have taken measures against the disease by culling poultry in the affected areas and imposing prompt quarantine restrictions, the ministry said.           

To date, the deadly H5N1 strain has been confirmed in 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions on the Chinese mainland.