The World Health Organization said the strain of H5N1 bird flu virus found in central China's outbreak is identical to the one detected in Vietnam and Thailand, according to local health authorities.

After three days investigation in Hunan, a team of WHO experts concluded that currently there is no sign of human-to-human bird flu transmission in China and the strain of bird flu virus is the same as that in Vietnam and Thailand, the provincial health department said Friday.

The experts visited Wantang village where a bird flu outbreak was reported, hospitals that treated the confirmed and suspicious human bird flu cases as well as local disease prevention and control centers.

They suggest strengthening public health education, separating fever patients from general patients, especially children and take as many samples from the outbreak area and the patients.

The H5N1 bird flu virus has killed at least 67 people in Asia since 2003, mostly in Vietnam. Health experts warn that the virus could mutate into a form easily passed from person to person, possibly sparking a pandemic that would kill millions worldwide. So far, most human cases have been traced to contact with infected birds.

Source: Xinhua