10th Human Bird Flu Case Confirmed In China

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 24 Jan 2006 - 16:00 PDT

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Chinese authorities have confirmed that a 29-year-old woman is infected with bird (avian) flu in Chengdu, South West China. The woman, called Cao, is in a critical condition. Tests confirmed she is infected with the virulent H5N1 bird flu virus strain.

The woman comes from a part of the country which has so far been free of avian flu. She worked in a farm/shop which sold nuts and seeds, but no poultry or birds.

(Bird flu = Avian flu)

Authorities in China are concerned about the coming Lunar New Year public holiday when a huge number of chickens are slaughtered and lots of people travel around the country to meet relatives. During the Lunar New Year a much larger number of chickens is transported around the country.

As China holds about one-fifth of the world's population, anything that happens there can have a serious impact on what happens in the rest of the globe.

You cannot become infected with bird flu if you eat cooked chicken. However, the slaughtering process carries a higher risk of infection (those working in slaughterhouses have to be more careful).

So far, six people have died of bird flu in China - out of a total of 10 infections.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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