China to update countries on H7N9 bird flu

BEIJING - The World Health Organization (WHO) and countries nearby to China, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, will be kept updated on the H7N9 bird flu situation, a health official told a press conference Monday.

China will accept site inspections and communicate with foreign experts, and provide strains of H7N9 avian influenza to the WHO in accordance with International Health Regulations, said Liang Wannian, director of the H7N9 influenza prevention and control office.

The office falls under the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC).

"China reported the first case of H7N9 to the WHO soon after the case was confirmed to be infected with the virus," said Liang. "China will continue to cover reports of confirmed cases to the WHO in a timely manner," Liang added.

Also at the press conference, WHO representative Dr Michael O'Leary said it had been in cooperation and communication with Chinese officials over the last two weeks.

"We are very satisfied and pleased with the level of information shared and we believe we have been kept fully updated on the situation," O'Leary said.