Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Hong Kong baby infected with mild form of bird flu
HONG KONG, March 20 (Reuters) - A nine-month-old girl in Hong Kong has tested positive for the H9N2 virus, a mild form of bird flu, a Health Department official said on Tuesday.
Thomas Tsang, controller of the Center for Health Protection, told reporters the infant was often taken to a wet market with live poultry near her home—and probably got infected there.
“In the week before she fell ill, she was taken to the market everyday ... children should not be exposed to live poultry and if possible, they shouldn’t be taken to wet markets,” he added.
The infant has recovered and was discharged on March 9, but will be readmitted to hospital for more tests, he said. Her family members have showed no symptoms.
bird flu story source: Reuters