According to British researchers investigating the latest mutation in the bird flu virus, the situation must be dealt with quietly and seriously. Human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The new strain of bird flu, which has so far killed 25 people in China, is "a serious threat," said a researchers from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which has described it as "one of the most lethal" flu viruses.

"The WHO considers this a serious threat," said Prof McCauley, director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza at Britain's National Institute for Medical Research, "but we don't know at this stage whether this is going to spread from human to human."

However, "The longer the virus is unchecked in circulation, the higher the probability that this virus will start transmitting from person to person," Colin Butte, an expert in avian viruses at Britain's Pirbright Institute, said.

Until now, all those who contracted the disease have been in direct contact with birds, in particular with poultry, which carries the virus.

Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man died this morning from the bird flu in the Chinese province of Hunan, bringing to 25 the total number of victims of the epidemic.

Chinese media report that 127 people have contracted the virus throughout China with at least 20 whose life is threatened.

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