There is no evidence whatever to support the claims that China
is the source of the bird flu virus, and there is no clear answer
yet as to where the virus originated, World Health Organization
(WHO) spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said.
More than 20 WHO labs are currently conducting tests on samples
of the bird flu virus collected from the Asian countries, Chaib
told a news conference here on Friday.
She also advised that staff workers on poultry farms strengthen
sterilization measures, including wearing protective clothing and
masks of N95-type, and that those exposed to poultry wash their
hands promptly.
WHO looks forward to working closely with China 's Ministry of
Health to prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian
influenza, Chaib added.
(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2004)