However, governments appear more prepared than last year, when there were outbreaks outside Asia in areas previously free of the disease, said spokesman for the WHO's Manila-based Western Pacific office Peter Cordingley.

Mr Cordingley said the influenza virus is a cold weather virus and is more likely to flourish at this time of year. “We expect a repeat of last year, when the virus suddenly became very active, spreading to the Middle East, Africa and Europe,” he added.

The comments came after two Indonesian women died of bird flu, bringing the country's death toll from the disease to 61.

Indonesia, which registered more bird flu deaths in 2006 than any other nation, currently has the world's highest human death toll from the H5N1 virus.

VNA/BBC