The latest deaths indicate that H5N1 is a particularly virulent pathogen, as we have seen in cases in other countries.

The latest outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry in China shows once again how entrenched this virus appears to be in the environment in this part of the world.

The important thing is how the authorities handle the outbreak, how swiftly it is addressed and how quickly birds are culled. China in that practice has plenty of experience, so we are confident from the animal point of view the outbreaks are tackled as quickly as they can be.

I don't think the ministry is trying to conceal the cases, ... The cases occurred in a remote and isolated area, and the symptoms might be similar to many other diseases, so it's not easy to determine the reasons.

Because the formal investigative process is still under way, we are not issuing a formal conclusion right now, we are just saying that it is very probably that it will be declared as such.

Chinese officials have acknowledged this and other challenges, and there is a commitment to improving the situation but change won't occur overnight.

It's not a surprise. It shows that China like other countries that have bird flu in poultry can have human cases.

They will go back in time and review all the steps that have been taken, see if anything has been excluded or if any information that has been collected and not recognized as important.

They'll probably seek to meet the patients or their families.

It just shows you that anything can happen at any time. It's a very unpredictable situation, whether on the human side or the animal side.