UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has said that there is no evidence that a dangerous new strain of bird flu can pass from humans to animals, including birds.

The first case of H7N9 bird flu outside China has been detected in Malaysia. The patient is originally from Guangdong Province in China, where she is thought to have contracted the infection. She was visiting Malaysia as a tourist and has now been hospitalised there.

"This case does not come as a surprise and should not be a cause for increased concern, but should remind the world to remain vigilant," said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Juan Lubroth. "Humans that become ill with influenza A(H7N9) constitute no threat to poultry populations."

"In fact, we have no evidence that affected people could transmit the virus to other species, including birds. The highest risk of virus introduction is uncontrolled live poultry trade between affected and unaffected areas."

People can become infected with H7N9 through close contact with infected live poultry, mostly in live bird markets or when slaughtering birds at home. According to WHO, the virus appears not to have the ability to travel easily between humans.

Speaking on Wednesday, Lubroth added, "Such 'imported’ human cases, like the one reported in Malaysia last week, have been found in the past in previously unaffected areas of China… we will likely continue to see this in the not too distant future again. To date the virus has not been found in poultry populations outside affected areas in China."

Early detection of the virus in poultry populations is difficult, as infected birds do not show clinical signs. Surveillance and biosecurity measures have focused on detecting and stopping the disease's spread at key points, such as poultry markets.