China's Ministry of Health on Monday announced another human
case of bird flu.
The infected person is a 29-year-old peddler surnamed Cao from
Jinhua Town, Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan
Province, according to a report released by the ministry.
She showed symptoms of fever and pneumonia on January 12 and is
currently in a critical condition.
Cao's samples tested positive for the H5N1 virus by the Sichuan
provincial center for disease control and prevention (CDC) on
January 17. Later, China's CDC re-tested her samples, which also
showed positive, and isolated the H5N1 strain from the samples.
She has been confirmed to be infected with the bird flu virus in
accordance with the standards set out by the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the Chinese government, the ministry
said.
The ministry did not say if there was an outbreak of bird flu in
poultry in the area where Cao lived.
Those who have had close contact with Cao are under medical
observation by local health authorities. So far, no abnormal
symptoms have been reported.
This is the 10th human case of bird flu reported in China, six
of whom have died.
Also on Monday, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu called for continuous
efforts throughout the country to prevent and control avian flu
during the upcoming Spring Festival and in the early spring.
Addressing a meeting held by the State Council on prevention and
control of bird flu, Hui said the consumption demand for poultry
products would soar during the lunar new year holidays, and in
early spring, migratory birds would begin their northern-ward
movement, which will pose new challenges to the country's efforts
to prevent and control the virus.
"Although the current situation is under control, we cannot
relax or be optimistic. More outbreaks of bird flu are possible
this year," he said.
According to Agricultural Minister Du Qinglin, China has
reported 33 bird flu outbreaks since 2005, involving 14 provinces
and regions. So far, quarantine has been lifted in 32 affected
areas.
Figures released by the WHO show that as of today, the world has
reported 149 human infection cases of bird flu, including 80
deaths.
At the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human
Pandemic Influenza held in Beijing on January 17 and 18, over
US$1.8 billion of donations were collected from the European Union,
the United States, China and other countries to reinforce global
efforts in bird flu prevention and control.
Premier Wen Jiabao announced at the conference that the Chinese
government would donate US$10 million to the cause.
(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2006)