Following reports that at least 24 people have contracted a new strain of bird flu not otherwise known to humans, the Hangzhou Carrier Pigeon Association said Monday that it plans to vaccinate up to 90,000 pigeons against the virus in eastern China.

Pigeons became a source of concern after one in Shanghai was found infected with the new H7N9 strain, the Associated Press reports.

The group also announced it is suspending contests temporarily and told its members to keep their pigeons caged for one to two months, according to the AP.

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