Announcement

**Theresa42** · June 13, 2006, 11:05 AM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

Hong Kong reports suspected human bird flu case in south China
Tuesday June 13, 02:05 PM

HONGKONG (AFP) - A 31-year-old man is suspected to have contracted bird flu in southern China.

The man is in critical condition in hospital after visiting a wet market in Shenzhen city where live chickens were on sale, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said in a statement Tuesday.

It said health department officials from China's Guangdong province had notified Hong Kong of the case. Thousands of people cross the border daily from Guangdong into the southern Chinese territory of Hong Kong.

"He developed fever and pneumonia on June 3. He is now under treatment in a local hospital. His condition is critical," said the statement.

"The CHP is maintaining close liaison with the Ministry of Health and the Health Department of Guangdong Province to obtain more informaion on the case."

The man would become China's 19th reported human case if he is confirmed as having the deadly H5N1 strain.

Twelve of those cases have been fatal. More than 120 people worldwide have died from bird flu since it re-emerged as a threat in 2003, with most of the victims in Asia.

Hong Kong however has remained bird-flu free since early 2003, prompting local authorities Tuesday to step up inspection of chickens imported from the mainland.

"Even though Hong Kong has been free from human avian influenza cases since early 2003, members of the public should be vigilant given the large volume of population flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong," the statement said.

The new case was not reported by China's official media on Tuesday.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/13062006/323/hong-kong-reports-suspected-human-bird-flu-case-south-china.html

**Theresa42** · June 13, 2006, 01:13 PM

Bird-flu scare in Shenzhen

Bird-flu scare in Shenzhen

A 31-year-old man is in a critical condition in a Shenzhen hospital, suspected of having contracted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.

Chester Yung
Wednesday, June 14, 2006

A 31-year-old man is in a critical condition in a Shenzhen hospital, suspected of having contracted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.

The case has sparked concern the disease is getting closer to Hong Kong.

The SAR's Centre for Health Protection said Tuesday the victim, who lives in Shenzhen, was taken ill after visiting a wet market in the city where live chickens were on sale. It is not known at this stage whether the patient is a mainlander or a Hong Konger residing in Shenzhen.

Without specifying the date, the center said it was informed of the case by both the Health Department of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Health. "The patient, who lives in Shenzhen, developed fever and pneumonia on June 3. He's now being treated in a Shenzhen hospital, and his condition is critical," a CHP spokesman said.

If confirmed, the man would be the 19th human case of bird flu in the mainland. The case has not been reported by China's media. More than 80 cases of the virus have been reported in China since February last year, with 18 confirmed human cases, including 12 fatalities, since September.

"Members of the public should be vigilant given the huge daily flow of people between Guangdong and Hong Kong," the spokesman warned, adding that health education for travelers will be stepped up at all immigration control points through the distribution of leaflets and the display of health messages. Temperature screening of all inbound travelers remains in place.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and the Environmental Hygiene Department will also step up inspections of chickens imported from the mainland. "The CHP is maintaining close liaison with the mainland authorities to obtain more information on the case."

A poultry seller in Shenzhen's Futian district said all wet markets in Shenzhen had been renovated since April to improve the hygienic environment and ventilation systems.

The H5N1 virus first surfaced in Hong Kong in 1997, killing six of 18 people infected and prompting the culling of more than two million fowl. A mass cull of chickens alleviated the problem locally, but the H5N1 virus continued to circulate among birds in Asia, most recently among migratory species that could carry the virus for long distances.

China's Ministry of Agriculture issued an emergency order Monday for local governments to tighten controls over poultry to prevent bird flu contamination from migratory flocks after a new case was reported last Wednesday in Hotan county, Xinjiang, which is on the flight path for migratory birds between East Africa and West Asia.

In 2003, H5N1 re-emerged in humans, causing more than 120 deaths worldwide - with a mortality rate of more than 50 percent - although there is no convincing evidence yet of human-to-human transmission.

Scientists are worried that the virus could mutate into a strain that is easily transmissible among humans, triggering a global pandemic.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has set up a collaborating center in Guangzhou to strengthen disease surveillance and prevention.

Speaking at the opening ceremony Tuesday, Vice-Minister of Health, Huang Jiefu, said the center represents "a milestone in China's contribution to global public health."

"It reflects our country's commitment to playing a prominent role in this regard, at an especially critical moment in public health history." he said.

403 Forbidden

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=20757&sid=8395155&con_type=1

**HenryN** · June 13, 2006, 02:43 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

Bird-flu scare in Shenzhen

A 31-year-old man is in a critical condition in a Shenzhen hospital, suspected of having contracted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.

Chester Yung

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_d...155&con_type=1

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

A 31-year-old man is in a critical condition in a Shenzhen hospital, suspected of having contracted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.

The case has sparked concern the disease is getting closer to Hong Kong.
The SAR's Centre for Health Protection said Tuesday the victim, who lives in Shenzhen, was taken ill after visiting a wet market in the city where live chickens were on sale. It is not known at this stage whether the patient is a mainlander or a Hong Konger residing in Shenzhen.
Without specifying the date, the center said it was informed of the case by both the Health Department of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Health. "The patient, who lives in Shenzhen, developed fever and pneumonia on June 3. He's now being treated in a Shenzhen hospital, and his condition is critical," a CHP spokesman said.
If confirmed, the man would be the 19th human case of bird flu in the mainland. The case has not been reported by China's media. More than 80 cases of the virus have been reported in China since February last year, with 18 confirmed human cases, including 12 fatalities, since September.
"Members of the public should be vigilant given the huge daily flow of people between Guangdong and Hong Kong," the spokesman warned, adding that health education for travelers will be stepped up at all immigration control points through the distribution of leaflets and the display of health messages. Temperature screening of all inbound travelers remains in place.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and the Environmental Hygiene Department will also step up inspections of chickens imported from the mainland. "The CHP is maintaining close liaison with the mainland authorities to obtain more information on the case."
A poultry seller in Shenzhen's Futian district said all wet markets in Shenzhen had been renovated since April to improve the hygienic environment and ventilation systems.
The H5N1 virus first surfaced in Hong Kong in 1997, killing six of 18 people infected and prompting the culling of more than two million fowl. A mass cull of chickens alleviated the problem locally, but the H5N1 virus continued to circulate among birds in Asia, most recently among migratory species that could carry the virus for long distances.
China's Ministry of Agriculture issued an emergency order Monday for local governments to tighten controls over poultry to prevent bird flu contamination from migratory flocks after a new case was reported last Wednesday in Hotan county, Xinjiang, which is on the flight path for migratory birds between East Africa and West Asia.
In 2003, H5N1 re-emerged in humans, causing more than 120 deaths worldwide - with a mortality rate of more than 50 percent - although there is no convincing evidence yet of human-to-human transmission.
Scientists are worried that the virus could mutate into a strain that is easily transmissible among humans, triggering a global pandemic.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has set up a collaborating center in Guangzhou to strengthen disease surveillance and prevention.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Tuesday, Vice-Minister of Health, Huang Jiefu, said the center represents "a milestone in China's contribution to global public health."
"It reflects our country's commitment to playing a prominent role in this regard, at an especially critical moment in public health history." he said.

**HenryN** · June 13, 2006, 02:47 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

Shenzhen man may have bird flu

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/200...e_bird_flu.htm

2006-06-14
SHENZHEN health officials yesterday reported a new human case of suspected bird flu.

The victim was identified as a 31-year-old man surnamed Jiang, who was listed in critical condition last night.

He began complaining of fever, coughing and back pain on June 3 and was admitted to Shenzhen People's Hospital last Friday, according to authorities in the Guangdong Province city in China's south.

The Shenzhen Center for Disease Control said Jiang tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus. The Guangdong provincial health bureau then reported the case to the Ministry of Health for verification.

The patient was transferred to the city's Donghu Hospital yesterday for advanced treatment after his body temperature measured 40 degrees Celsius.

Medical staff were disinfecting all possible contamination sites in the city.

If state health officials confirm the preliminary diagnose, Jiang would become China's 19th human case of the disease. Twelve of the victims have died.

**HenryN** · June 13, 2006, 03:19 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06120601/H5N1_Shenzen.html

**hawkeye** · June 13, 2006, 03:41 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

Suspected human bird flu case in south China

BEIJING (AFP) - A 31-year-old man is suspected to have contracted bird flu in southern China, state media quoted health authorities as saying.
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The man, identified only by his surname Jiang, was in critical condition in hospital in the economic boomtown of Shenzhen in Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong, the Xinhua news agency said, citing city health officials.

The man, who developed a fever, back pains and a cough on June 3, was admitted to hospital on Friday. Preliminary tests carried out by local health officials showed he was positive for H5N1, Xinhua reported.

He has since been transferred to another hospital in Shenzhen for "advanced treatment", the agency said, adding that provincial authorities had reported the case to the health ministry for verification.

The man would become China's 19th reported human case if he is confirmed as having the deadly H5N1 strain.

Twelve of those cases have been fatal. More than 120 people worldwide have died from bird flu since it re-emerged as a threat in 2003, with most of the victims in Asia.

Humans are believed to contract the virus mainly from direct contact with infected animals. Scientists fear a global pandemic if the virus mutates and becomes easily transmissible between humans.

Initial reports from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the man, a truck driver, had visited a wet market in Shenzhen where live chickens were on sale.

But Xinhua reported that his wife had purchased a chicken from a wet market two weeks ago and served it for dinner to five family members, including the patient.

Family members had thus far shown no signs of illness, the agency said, adding that they were under medical observation.

Thousands of people cross the border daily from Guangdong into Hong Kong.

The southern Chinese territory has remained free of bird flu since early 2003, prompting local authorities to step up inspection of chickens imported from the mainland on Tuesday.

"Even though Hong Kong has been free from human avian influenza cases since early 2003, members of the public should be vigilant given the large volume of population flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong," the CHP said in a statement.

**Auburn Boy** · June 13, 2006, 06:25 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

Originally posted by niman

Shenzhen man may have bird flu

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/200...e_bird_flu.htm

Dr. Niman,

Thanks for the quick posting on this update.

Tentative headline, but more positive copy.., Someone is hedging their wording?

**Mingus** · June 13, 2006, 09:28 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

Archive Number 20060613.1649
Published Date 13-JUN-2006
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (83) - China (Guangdong)

AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN (83) - CHINA (GUANGDONG)
***************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http:// www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Tue 13 Jun 2006
From: Mary Marshall <tropical.forestry@btinternet.com>
Source: The Standard, 14 Jun 2006 [edited]
<http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=20757&sid=8395155 &con_type=1>

A 31-year-old man is in a critical condition in a Shenzhen hospital,
suspected of having contracted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus. The case has
sparked concern the disease is getting closer to Hong Kong. [Shenzhen is a
large and fast-growing city in southern Guangdong province, just over the
border from the Special Administrative Region of which Hong Kong is a
part. Shenzhen is approximately 22 miles from Hong Kong and 100 miles from
Guangzhou. - CopyEd.PG]

The SAR's Centre for Health Protection said Tuesday the victim, who lives
in Shenzhen, was taken ill after visiting a wet market in the city where
live chickens were on sale. It is not known at this stage whether the
patient is a mainlander or a Hong Konger residing in Shenzhen.

Without specifying the date, the center said it was informed of the case by
both the Health Department of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of
Health. "The patient, who lives in Shenzhen, developed fever and pneumonia
on 3 Jun 2006. He's now being treated in a Shenzhen hospital, and his
condition is critical," a CHP spokesman said.

If confirmed, the man would be the 19th human case of bird flu in the
mainland. The case has not been reported by China's media. More than 80
cases of the virus have been reported in China since February last year,
with 18 confirmed human cases, including 12 fatalities, since September 2005.

"Members of the public should be vigilant given the huge daily flow of
people between Guangdong and Hong Kong," the spokesman warned, adding that
health education for travelers will be stepped up at all immigration
control points through the distribution of leaflets and the display of
health messages. Temperature screening of all inbound travelers remains in
place.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and the Environmental
Hygiene Department will also step up inspections of chickens imported from
the mainland. "The CHP is maintaining close liaison with the mainland
authorities to obtain more information on the case."

A poultry seller in Shenzhen's Futian district said all wet markets in
Shenzhen had been renovated since April 2006 to improve the hygienic
environment and ventilation systems.

The H5N1 virus first surfaced in Hong Kong in 1997, killing 6 of 18 people
infected and prompting the culling of more than 2 million fowl. A mass cull
of chickens alleviated the problem locally, but the H5N1 virus continued to
circulate among birds in Asia, most recently among migratory species that
could carry the virus for long distances.

China's Ministry of Agriculture issued an emergency order Monday for local
governments to tighten controls over poultry to prevent bird flu
contamination from migratory flocks after a new case was reported last
Wednesday in Hotan county, Xinjiang, which is on the flight path for
migratory birds between East Africa and West Asia.

In 2003, H5N1 re-emerged in humans, causing more than 120 deaths worldwide
-- with a mortality rate of more than 50 percent -- although there is no
convincing evidence yet of human-to-human transmission.

Scientists are worried that the virus could mutate into a strain that is
easily transmissible among humans, triggering a global pandemic.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has set up a collaborating center
in Guangzhou to strengthen disease surveillance and prevention.

Speaking at the opening ceremony Tuesday, Vice-Minister of Health, Huang
Jiefu, said the center represents "a milestone in China's contribution to
global public health."

"It reflects our country's commitment to playing a prominent role in this
regard, at an especially critical moment in public health history." he said.

--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[If confirmed, the man would be the 19th human case of bird flu in the
mainland. The case has not been reported by China's media. More than 80
cases of the virus have been reported in China since February last year,
with 18 confirmed human cases, including 12 fatalities, since September.
{According to the most recent table of the "Cumulative Number of Confirmed
Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO", dated 6 Jun 2006,
there have been 18 human cases of H5N1 avian influenza and 12 fatalities.
Ten of the cases and 7 of the deaths occurred in 2006 and the remaining 8
cases and 5 deaths in 2005.
<http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2006_06_06/en/index.html>.
- Mod.CP]

[see also:
Avian influenza, human, worldwide (54): China, India 20060427.1228
Avian influenza, human, worldwide (52): China, Egypt, background 20060422.1180
Avian influenza, human, worldwide (51): China, Egypt, Indonesia 20060421.1165]
..................................cp/pg/dk

**Snowy Owl** · June 14, 2006, 06:52 AM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

HK bird flu experts head for Shenzhen

news.gov.hk - Page not found

http://news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/060614/html/060614en05004.htm

Hong Kong medical and veterinary experts will go to Shenzhen to gather more information on the human case of avian influenza there.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow said today the case is worrying, and could see the suspension of live Mainland chicken imports for three weeks if confirmed.

He said what concerns health authorities most is that the patient has no specific history of close contact with poultry, similar to two previous cases in Shanghai and Guangdong. He said repeated cases on the Mainland may mean there might be some 'silent infections' among poultry, which might carry the virus while not showing symptoms.

Don't panic
Dr Chow assured that Hong Kong has all the tools and mechanisms to detect human avian flu and contain it.

"We should not panic, but at the same time we should be cautious."

The Hong Kong delegation will discuss the case with Mainland authorities later today, and share information on epidemiological, laboratory and animal investigation findings, and clinical treatment of the case.

Control measures
The Department of Health will continue temperature checks at boundary checkpoints and all Accidents & Emergence Wards will enhance its surveillance programme to monitor cases of unknown source of pneumonia.

Infection control measures under the Yellow Alert are in effect and people are encouraged to wash hands before and after visiting public hospitals and to put on masks when necessary, the Hospital Authority said.

Public hospitals should report to the authority all patients fulfilling the case definition of having pneumonia (all types) of unidentified etiology and who travelled in the week before the onset of symptoms to areas with confirmed human cases of avian flu.

The special Enhanced Surveillance Programme will be reviewed in three weeks.

**Theresa42** · June 15, 2006, 07:58 AM

Contacts of suspected human bird flu patient test clear

Contacts of suspected human bird flu patient test clear
June 15, 2006

All 98 people who had close contact with a suspected human case of bird flu in south China have tested clear of the disease, the local health bureau on Thursday.

The contacts included relatives of the patient, a 31-year-old man surnamed Jiang, medical workers in a local clinic and in Shenzhen People's Hospital, where Jiang had been treated, and the patients in the same ward.

Tests on the 98 contacts all proved negative for the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, but doctors would continue observations of them, according to the health bureau of Shenzhen, a city in Guangdong Province.

A bureau source said Jiang was still in a critical condition and being treated in Donghu Hospital in the city.

A test sample from Jiang had been sent to Beijing for verification by the Ministry of Health.

Jiang started to show symptoms of back pain, fever and a cough on June 3. He was admitted to the Shenzhen People's Hospital on June 9.

The Shenzhen Center of Disease Control conducted tests for the H5N1 virus. The Guangdong provincial health bureau immediately reported the case to the Ministry of Health for verification.

The patient was transferred to Donghu Hospital on Tuesday for advanced treatment.

Shenzhen city government has announced a second-degree emergency as a precaution against bird flu in the city.

Medical staff are disinfecting all possible contaminated places.

Jiang, a truck driver, had no contacts with birds before becoming ill. However, his wife bought a freshly slaughtered chicken from a local market two weeks ago, and cooked it for dinner for five family members, including Jiang.

None of Jiang's family showed similar symptoms. They and other close contacts are under medical observation.

He would become China's 19th reported human case if he is confirmed as having the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

China has reported 18 human cases, involving 12 deaths.

According to the World Health Organization, 225 human bird flu cases have been confirmed since late 2003, involving 128 fatalities.

403 Forbidden

http://english.people.com.cn/200606/15/eng20060615_274405.html

**HenryN** · June 15, 2006, 09:17 AM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

China confirms new H5N1 bird flu infection
15/06/2006 - 2:51:30 PM

China today confirmed a man in a southern Chinese city is infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu, bringing the country?s total human infections of the disease to 19.

The official Xinhua News Agency said a 31-year-old truck driver from the Shenzhen city of Guangdong province was admitted into hospital on June 9 and tested positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus at the Shenzhen Centre for Diseases Control.

The diagnosis was verified by China?s ministry of health today, Xinhua said.

Bird flu has killed at least 128 people worldwide since it started ravaging Asian poultry farms in late 2003. In China, 12 people have died.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/06/15/story263490.html#

**Laidback Al** · June 19, 2006, 02:45 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN (86) - CHINA
*************************************
A ProMED-mail post

Date: Mon 19 Jun 2006
From: Mary Marshall <TROPICAL.FORESTRY@BTINTERNET.COM>
Source: NEWSGD.com, Fri 16 Jun 2006 [edited] <http://www.newsgd.com/news/guangdong1/200606160011.htm>

China: Close Contacts of [19th] human Avian Influenza Case Cleared
-----------------------------------------------
All 98 people who had close contact with a suspected [now confirmed] human case of avian influenza in South China have tested clear of the disease, the local health bureau stated on Thu 15 Jun 2006. The contacts included relatives of the 31-year-old male patient, medical workers in a local clinic and in Shenzhen People's Hospital, where the man had been treated, and the patients in the same ward. Tests on the 98 contacts all proved negative for the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, but doctors [will] continue observations of them, according to the health bureau of Shenzhen, a city in Guangdong Province.
A bureau source said the man was still in critical condition and being treated in Donghu Hospital in the city. A test sample from him had been sent to Beijing for verification by the Ministry of Health. The patient started to show symptoms of back pain, fever and a cough on 3 Jun 2006. He was admitted to the Shenzhen People's Hospital on 9 Jun 2006.
The Shenzhen Center of Disease Control conducted tests for the H5N1 virus.
The Guangdong provincial health bureau immediately reported the case to the Ministry of Health for verification. The patient was transferred to Donghu Hospital on Tuesday [13 Jun 2006] for advanced treatment.
The Shenzhen city government has announced a 2nd-degree emergency as a precaution against bird flu in the city.
The male patient, a truck driver, had no contacts with birds before becoming ill. However, his wife bought a freshly slaughtered chicken from a local market 2 weeks ago and cooked it for dinner for 5 family members, including the man. None of the man's family showed similar symptoms. They and other close contacts are under medical observation. He will become China's 19th reported human case if he is confirmed as having the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
[In fact, this patient was confirmed as a positive case of H5N1 avian influenza by the WHO later on Fri 16 Jun 2006: see Avian influenza, human
(85) - China 20060617.1685. China has now reported 19 human cases, involving 12 deaths. According to the World Health Organization, as of 16 Jun 2006, 227 human bird flu cases have been confirmed since late 2003, involving 129 fatalities. - Mod.CP]
--
ProMED-mail

[The confirmation of this 19th human case in an area where apparently no outbreak of disease in poultry has been reported prior to discovery of this human case suggests that surveillance of animal disease may have been inadequate. However, it is possible that the patient's occupation as a truck driver exposed him to infection at another locality. It is reassuring to learn that there has been no indication of transmissibility of the avian virus either among close relatives or unrelated contacts. - Mod.CP]

**AlaskaDenise** · June 20, 2006, 04:03 AM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

....It is reassuring to learn that there has been no indication of transmissibility of the avian virus either among close relatives or unrelated contacts.

I would be truly reassured if they could say exactly where he DID get avian virus.

.

**Sally Furniss** · June 22, 2006, 08:15 PM

Re: China - Human bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

403 Forbidden

http://english.people.com.cn/200606/22/eng20060622_276131.html

China's latest bird flu patient recovering

China's latest human case of bird flu in south China's Guangdong Province has been showing signs of recovery,sources with the local health authorities said Wednesday.

X-rays showed the shadow on the patient's lungs had diminished, but he was still critically ill, said the Health Bureau of Shenzhen City.

The 31-year-old patient surnamed Jiang was confirmed by the Ministry of Health to have contracted bird flu on June 15, bringing China's total human infections to 19.

Jiang had been undergoing treatment for eight days in a local hospital, which had the most advanced intensive care unit in the city, said the bureau.

Meanwhile, medical observation of 98 people who had close contact with him had found no suspected symptoms, such as pneumonia or bird flu-like symptoms, said a statement from the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bird flu has killed 12 Chinese since last year. The disease has also infected 228 people and killed 130 worldwide, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Experts fear the H5N1 strain of the virus could mutate to become transmissible among people, causing a global pandemic. To date, most human cases had direct or indirect contact with infected birds.

Indonesian Health Minister Siti Sufari Fadillah announced Wednesday that the investigation conducted by a WHO team on the world's largest cluster death of bird flu cases in the country's North Sumatra province found the virus was transmitted from animal to human, not from human to human.

Seven people in the same extended family died from the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus last month, followed by the deaths of two siblings in Jakarta, which the minister described as a cluster.

It was the biggest reported cluster of deaths, raising international concern on possible human transmission in Indonesia.

Senior Chinese health expert Shu Yuelong said Wednesday there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission in China, but warned the evolution of the virus was unpredictable.

No trace of human influenza had been found in the gene of the virus extracted from Chinese bird flu patients either, said Shu, director of the National Influenza Center under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hong Kong's health chief, York Chow, said on June 16 that the latest human case of bird flu on the Chinese mainland might indicate the virus had mutated and become as infectious in summer months as it is in cooler months.

But a WHO official said it remained unclear whether there were truly distinctive seasonal patterns to outbreaks of the bird flu in poultry.

"We do know that the bird flu virus can survive for a time in colder weather, but it's really not clear at this point whether the virus is changing in such a way that it can survive in warm weather for a longer period than it was previously able to," Roy Wadia, spokesman for the WHO office in China, told Xinhua.

"This is why it is so very, very important that agricultural authorities anywhere share virus isolates bird flu from animal outbreaks with the international scientific community," he said, urging the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture to share isolates from 2005 and 2006 as soon as possible.