Zhong Nanshan, a famous expert in fighting SARS, has warned of the possible spread of bird flu from wild fowls to humans.

Avian influenza will surely spread around the world this year and the virus detected in wild birds are likely to be transmitted to people via unknown means, said Zhong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Some new cases of H5 avian influenza virus have been detected among wild swans and ducks in Europe.

However, it does not mean an immediate expansion of human bird flu cases, and most people are not sensitive to the current type of virus, said Zhong, also a member of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body, which is in a 10-day annual full session here.

He called on the public to join in the anti-flu campaign with necessary knowledge of better containing the pandemic.

If everyone is vigilant enough against the virus, earlier measures could be taken to tackle the disease, said Zhong, noting that two of the four SARS cases registered in Guangdong Province in 2004 were firstly detected by local medical workers.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has forecast possible bird flu outbreaks and more human cases during the coming spring migratory season, urging continuous vigilance against the fatal disease.

Source: Xinhua