A UN agricultural expert has said that much more money is needed to stop the bird flu virus in poultry worldwide, as Vietnam – the country worst hit by the disease – confirmed its first human death in three months.

The country worst hit by bird flu, Vietnam, confirmed its 42nd human death today from the virus, as the World Health Organisation warned governments to be ready for when – not if – a deadly pandemic arrives that could kill millions.

THE World Health Organisation lifted its travel warning against Beijing yesterday, giving a clean bill of health to the capital of the nation where the SARS outbreak began.

GOVERNMENTS across East Asia were today considering tougher measures in their struggle to stop the SARS outbreak that has killed at least 205 people worldwide and infected more than 3,800 – most of them in Asia.

Twelve more people have died of the SARS virus and more than 300 new cases have been diagnosed, China announced today.