A Chinese insurance company is to become the first to start offering a life policy specifically for bird flu. Minsheng Life Insurance has been given the go-ahead by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission, according to the state-run China Daily newspaper. The scheme will pay out a maximum of 100,000 yuan ($12,400; £7,000). People in the main cities will pay 200 yuan for the policy, while those outside only 100 yuan, although for a reduced payout of 50,000 yuan. The report said the policy would be launched “very soon”.