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New Zealanders are to be tested for a new strain of bird flu that has already killed six people in China.

Scientists at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease in Upper Hutt will test people with severe acute respiratory infection that show signs of certain strains of influenza A.

Dr Sue Huang, director of World Health Organisation National Influenza centre in Wellington, stressed there were no signs of the bird flu in New Zealand and the tests were precautionary.

"We are in contact with our international colleagues to learn more about this new strain as well as providing precautionary monitoring for any sign of the virus here."

Until recently, the new flu strains were thought to be restricted to birds but an outburst of human cases have arisen in Shanghai and nearby cities.

So far, there have been 21 confirmed human cases, including six deaths from the virus. Chinese authorities have slaughtered tens of thousand of birds in Shanghai's poultry market in an attempt to contain the virus.

Huang said New Zealand scientists would be working with their international colleagues to study the new virus and determined the best way of protecting against its spread.

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New Zealanders to be tested for killer bird flu