China may be facing a spreading outbreak of the new bird flu virus, according to World Health Organisation reports.
WHO officials say there is still no evidence of "sustained" infection of humans with the virus, which has been spreading in poultry markets in large cities.
A spate of cases notified by Chinese officials this week included two deaths.
The H7N9 virus emerged last February causing dozens of deaths in March and April. So far it has only been found in China and Taiwan but it has been found throughout China.
In three days this week China reported 11 cases of infection, most involving patients critically ill in hospital. Ages of patients ranged from 29 to 79 and most patients had been exposed to poultry.
Cases have been reported in Shanghai and the provinces of Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian and Jiangsu, all on the country’s south and east coasts.
WHO said the Chinese government continues to take measures such as improving surveillance, warning the public and taking part in international collaboration.
A spokesman said: "The source of infection is still under investigation. So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission."
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