To combat the H7N9 bird flu virus, a community in Nanjing, in East China's Jiangsu province, has offered local residents a cash bonus to encourage reports on people raising chickens.

According to Zhu Huafu, director of the community's neighborhood committee, a report about one live chicken is worth a 10 yuan ($1.60) reward. The committee has also purchased nets, bags, gloves and masks to catch chickens.

"Some residents prefer to raise chickens in the community and that is always a headache for the committee. The prevalence of bird flu has also provided an imperative for us to deal with the problem," said Zhu, adding that the committee is considering doubling the bonus.

By Thursday, 12 people in Jiangsu province were confirmed to have contracted the H7N9 virus, and 38 people were diagnosed nationwide.