Two die in China from bird flu strain not previously found in humans.

NBC Nightly News (3/31, story 9, 0:25, Alexander, 7.86M) reported China is seeing "a new outbreak of avian flu otherwise known as the bird flu. Authorities say two people have died in Shanghai and a third is in critical condition in another part of that country after contracting the H7N9 strain of the virus."

        The New York Times (4/1, Barboza, Subscription Publication, 1.68M) reports, "China's National Health and Family Planning Commission said it was unclear how the three had been infected." This flu strain "had not been previously found in humans."

        The AP (4/1) reports World Health Organization spokesman Timothy O'Leary said, "There is apparently no evidence of human-to-human transmission, and transmission of the virus appears to be inefficient, therefore the risk to public health would appear to be low." However, he added that the agency "is 'closely monitoring the situation.'"

        Reuters (4/1) notes there is no vaccine against this strain.