An outbreak of bird flu in poultry flocks in rural Romania has posed threats to the lives of people living there, said an expert with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday.

"With 31 sites of avian influenza, Romania runs the risk of human contamination at any moment," Guenael Rodier told reporters after a four-day visit in Romania.

He said the WHO will help the Romanian authorities work out the means for avoiding the appearance of human infections.

"We are going to propose infrastructure projects, especially for poorer regions affected by avian influenza and deprived of sewerage or running water, with the aim of attracting funds from international donors such as the World Bank."

Over 150,000 birds have been culled as a precautionary measure and 2.5 million people vaccinated against common flu since the first deadly H5N1 bird flu strain was found in poultry in Romania.

Source: Xinhua