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Hong Kong Reports First Case Of Avian Flu in 10 Months
Hong Kong reported its first case of bird flu in 10 months amidst stepped-up measures by Chinese authorities to quell future outbreaks of infectious diseases. Hong Kong authorities confirmed Wednesday a dead grey heron found Tuesday near the border between Hong Kong and the southern Chinese city Shenzhen had tested positive for the deadly H5N1 avian-influenza virus. Authorities said the bird had been found in a fenced-off wildlife preserve.So far, authorities say workers in contact with the bird tested negative for H5N1, a deadly strain which can be transmitted from animal to humans and has caused the deaths of about 70% of people infected, according to the World Health Organization. Officials said they didn't know if the bird had flown from China, as grey herons are migratory birds with a wide flight pattern across East Asia. "There is no way to know where the bird came from," said Richard Rubira, a senior veterinary official at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Posted by: trailing wife 2004-11-03 |
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