Radio Free Asia says North Korea recently sent a report about its bird flu outbreak to the World Organization for Animal Health and asked for its help in containing the epidemic.

North Korea is a member of the OIE, which was set up in 1924 to promote exchanges of information on animal diseases.

RFA said the OIE made public North Korea's aid request during a joint meeting of the OIE and Food and Agriculture Organization member states in Paris last week.

An OIE official was quoted as saying North Korea had asked the organization to help it improve its capability to diagnose the avian influenza.

The official also said the OIE has yet to finalize specific details about its aid to North Korea. He said the organization will soon begin discussions on the matter with North Korean diplomats based in Paris.