OREANDA-NEWS. Chinese authorities will take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of any viruses against the backdrop of reports of the discovery of a new strain of influenza that could potentially cause a new pandemic. This was stated by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian at a briefing on June 30. “China is closely monitoring the development of the situation. We will take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of any viruses and outbreaks,” the diplomat said.

Earlier, Chinese scientists published a study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, in which they reported that they had discovered a new strain of swine flu that spreads from animals to humans and is potentially capable of causing a new pandemic. Evidence of whether this strain of influenza virus can be transmitted from person to person is not yet available.