Hong Kong steps up security as bird flu remerges

18/11/10 19:32 CET

world news

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Hong Kong has raised its health emergency level to serious after its first reported case of bird flu in eight years.

A 59-year-old woman has been confirmed as the victim of the H5 influenza A virus.

She is said to be seriously ill with pneumonia-like symptoms and is receiving intensive care treatment.

Health and Food Secretary, York Chow, said: “The risk of avian influenza in Hong Kong is not significantly higher than before, but since there is one case we have to be very careful.”

The victim is said to have visited local markets on the mainland and eaten chicken during the last week of October but she did not have any contact with live poultry.

The World Health Organisation says more than 500 cases of bird flu have been diagnosed worldwide since 2003 with 302 fatalities.

More about: Bird flu, China, Hong Kong

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