UN sees bird flu changes but calls risk of people spread low

The World Health Organisation says it has noticed mutations in the bird flu virus that is now spreading in China, but says the risk of the disease spreading easily between people still remains low.

In a press briefing today, the UN health agency said in about 7 per cent of the people infected with the H7N9 strain of bird flu, scientists have identified genetic changes suggesting the viruses are resistant to Tamiflu, the recommended treatment for the disease.

Wenqing Zhang, head of WHO's flu department, said the rate is similar to what has been picked up in previous years.

Zhang said mutations in the H7N9 virus have also made it more deadly to birds, but he says it's unclear what that might mean for humans.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)