We are not bird flu source, says China

China has rejected a report by a British scientific magazine that it is the source of the deadly bird flu sweeping Asia.


The respected British weekly New Scientist cites unidentified health experts saying the outbreak 'probably' began in southern China in early 2003, after a poultry vaccination scheme went wrong.


The report says that had since been covered up.


Speaking through a translator, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue angrily denied the claim


'We believe that such an allegation is totally inaccurate, groundless and also absolutely not respecting science and irresponsible,' she said.


'We believe that this highly contagious disease is a headache for the world.'