WHO increases pressure on China over bird flu

Breaking diplomatic protocol, the World Health Organization's new trouble shooter for pandemic influenza, Margaret Chan, has publicly scolded China for stalling on vital cooperation over the outbreak of bird flu. She has urged authorities to share specimens promptly and give the green light for a WHO led team to visit the country.

The appeal comes as new reports of human strain cases in Indonesia of the deadly Avian A (H5N1) bird flu have heightened WHO's concerns about the looming threat of a global influenza pandemic.

“We are working with the government of China to impress upon them the importance of sharing these specimens and WHO would …