Two people have died in Beijing since late December after contracting a flu virus that caused a global panic in 2009.

Yet, despite its potential for harm, the virus - initially known as swine flu - is not as threatening as it was originally and can be contained, according to Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both victims of the influenza A, or H1N1, virus were already in poor health when they contracted it, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the organization.