The bird flu outbreak in China hasn't crossed over to Japan, but Tokyo must stay on guard against the virus, the head of the government's new influenza countermeasures panel said Monday.
The H7N9 virus spreading in eastern China and Taiwan has already killed more than 30 people, but some areas, including Shanghai, have lowered their alert levels since the spread abated.
The drop in patients could be attributed to the closure of bird markets and safer culling of poultry, Shigeru Omi said at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo.