Bird flu, which erupted in March, has so far cost the poultry industry 40 billion yuan ($6.25 billion), Li Xirong, deputy-director of the China Animal Agriculture Association, said in a recent industry forum.

Li said the daily economic cost caused by the disease could exceed 1 billion yuan, and this year is "the hardest ever" for the industry.

Since bird flu erupted in March, prices for poultry have slumped, along with a sharp decline in sales. Financial losses were widespread, leading to job losses and bankruptcy.