Chinese Vice Health Minister Wang Longde confirmed Tuesday in Beijing that the bird flu virus in China has not varied as human virus and would not cause human infections at present.

"The strain of virus detected in China still bears the nature of bird and will not induce people-to-people transmission," Wang made the remarks after attending a panel discussion of lawmakers from the northwestern province of Shaanxi on the sidelines of the ongoing National People's Congress.

At least 15 Chinese people have been infected by the fatal disease since the first case was registered in November last year, and the government is greatly concerned with the latest victim of the pandemic in South China's Guangdong Province, according to Wang.

The vice minister called on health administrations at all levels and the public to be vigilant against the disease for potential variation of the strain of virus, cautioning people against contacting live fowls.

Famous pandemic control expert Zhong Nanshan said earlier the day that bird flu is approaching human beings through three possible channels: bird flu itself, live poultry and other animals.

"An urgent task at present is to carry out nationwide publicity as quickly as possible," said Zhong, who is attending the annual session of China's top advisory body -- the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

It's possible that live poultry may carry bird flu virus and other animals, including cat and pig, may also be infected by the virus, he said.

On the other hand, people should not be over-worried about the spread of bird flu, Zhong said. "The majority of people are not sensitive to the current strain of bird flu virus."

Source: Xinhua