GENEVA (REUTERS) - The H7N9 bird flu outbreak in China has caused economic losses of more than US$6.5 billion (S$8.1 billion)so far, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's chief veterinary officer said on Tuesday.

"The economic impacts of H7N9 have been astounding," Juan Lubroth said during a presentation at the World Health Assembly in Geneva.

"Over $6.5 billion has been lost in the agriculture sector because of prices, consumer confidence and trade. So poultry industry losses in China have been high," he said.