A panel team comprises bird flu experts from Japan begin their work here Thursday to help Indonesia in overcoming the virus outbreak that has claimed six people's life, the Bisnis Indonesia daily said.

The team would gather information for a week in an effort to determine a recommendation to the Indonesian authorities in controlling the lethal disease in the country, spokesman of the Japanese Embassy Ayako Zhimisu said.

"The team will visit the designed bird flu hospital of Sulianti Saroso in the city," said Zhimisu.

The Japanese assistance was in response to the request of the Indonesian government.

Source: Xinhua