BEIJING - China's Cabinet has urged efficiency and transparency in government agencies' responses to the H7N9 bird flu, which has so far infected 33 people, nine of whom have died.

Authorities should further coordinate the efforts of different agencies as well as international cooperation for prevention and control of the flu, said a statement issued after an executive meeting of the State Council on Wednesday.

Information regarding H7N9 and related control measures should be released in a timely and accurate manner, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, it added, efforts should be made to raise people's awareness on how to protect themselves from the H7N9 flu and keep it in perspective.

The statement said China's central authorities are paying close attention to the bird flu, and related prevention and control work is being carried out appropriately.

China officially confirmed the occurrence of human infection with the H7N9 virus late last month.