The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in Beijing on Thursday that it hasn't received any report on human infection of bird flu.

In an interview with Xinhua, a MOH official, preferring anonymity, said that they have noticed that some overseas media carried stories saying "a girl died of flu-like symptom in bird-flu-affected area in central China's Hunan province".

"But the ministry hasn't received any report on human infection of bird flu so far," said the official.

An official with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) also said that they are watching closely on the issue. The MOA has worked out an "emergency plan under the situation of human infection", said the official.

The official said that if cases of human infection occur, the MOA will cooperate closely with the MOH to trace the source of the infection and strengthen quarantine and vaccination.

The Information Office of the State Council has arranged a press conference here Friday. Jia Youling, China's Chief Veterinarian and director in charge of veterinary department under the MOA, will be invited to brief media on latest bird flu control efforts in China.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2005)