Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called on Friday for “all possible measures” to fight the emergence and spread of deadly bird flu that has appeared in Southeast Asia, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a State Council, or cabinet, teleconference, Wen “urged more personnel and technological training and demanded emergency plans to be formulated in advance of possible outbreaks” in key regions, it said.

The H5N1 virus has killed at least 42 people in Asia in the last year, including 30 in Vietnam.

Most of the victims were believed to have caught the virus from infected poultry, but doctors fear it could mutate into one that is easily passed between people, unleashing a global pandemic that could kill millions.

There is as yet no evidence that it can mutate in this way.

Although there have been no outbreaks reported in China so far this year, some places remain improperly prepared for a possible outbreak, Xinhua said. China has said the outbreaks in neighbouring countries pose a threat.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, who also attended the teleconference, “demanded local vets strengthen efforts in vaccinating poultry, especially in large farms in key areas, as well as conducting preventive work according to China’s animal quarantine law”, the state news agency said.

Emergency plans should be drafted to ensure effective responses to possible outbreaks and border checks should be strengthened, Hui said.