Pigs, dogs died from gas in C China, not bird flu  

官方称偃师大量家畜死因系有害气体损害呼吸系统

河南偃师官方18日通报称，通过畜牧专家组研判，近日发生在该市山化镇东屯村大量家畜死亡的原因，系因有害气体严重损害呼吸系统所致。不过，暂不知有害气体从何而来。

Yanshi, Henan (CNS) -- Piles of pigs and dogs found dead in Central China on Monday are not H7N9 infectious cases, local authorities said on Thursday.

Altogether 410 pigs and 122 dogs were found dead in Dongtun village of Yanshi city, Henan province. The government of Yanshi city said the deaths have nothing to do with the bird flu virus that recently spread to humans.

Experts in animal husbandry concluded that they died of respiratory system injury caused by noxious gas, the government said.

Local villagers suspected that the deaths were related to the nearby chemical factories. All the factories have been ordered to suspend production and help police investigate the incident.

By 6 p.m. Thursday, 268 villagers had health tests, and no abnormal result was reported, according to a local news website.

Tests on the air around the village and its drinking water also met quality standards, it added.

But the government hasn't revealed where the noxious gas came from.

Special report: H7N9 avian influenza