Chinese officials have denied reports that the government encouraged farmers to use the drug amantadine to treat bird flu in chickens.

The world body said the head of the World Health Organization's office in Beijing has sought information about the practice from the Chinese Health Ministry, The Washington Post reported. A similar request was sent by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Beijing.

Sent Experts Around the Country

China announced Tuesday it has sent experts around the country to stop the misuse of the antiviral drug on poultry. The government also denied a Post report last week that officials had encouraged farmers to use the drug, the Post reported.

The Post, quoting animal health experts, had reported that Chinese farmers had used the drug amantadine to treat bird flu in chickens with the approval of officials.

The researchers said the drug would not be effective if the bird flu virus emerges as a human pandemic.