August 25, 2004

China Claims Pig-Variant Bird Flu Not Epidemic

China says that although a highly lethal strain of the bird flu virus has been found in pigs, it does not constitute an epidemic.

The state-run Beijing Times says the amount of the H5N1 strain extracted from pigs in the south-eastern province of Fujian last year was "extremely small". No mutation of the virus into a form more dangerous to humans has been found.

Correspondents say the report is the latest official attempt at clarification. A respected scientist made the surprise announcement last week that H5N1 had been detected in pigs in 2003 for the first time.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has expressed concern over the discovery, and has been seeking as much information as possible.