China's chief veterinarian Jia Youlin Friday denied the existence and spreading of a new strain of H5N1 bird flu in its Fujian Province as reported by a science journal in the United States.

 

"In fact, there is no such thing as a new Fujian strain at all," Jia said at a press conference hosted by the press office of the State Council, China's cabinet.

 

"The date used in the article is not true. Its method of research is not scientific. Its conclusion can not be established and is completely against the fact," Jia said.

 

He was referring to a recent article on the U.S. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which says the new strain has already spread to Malaysia, the Laos and Thailand, and may cause a major outbreak in Asia and Europe.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2006)