China: Human H5N1 Cases for 2009

[HenryN]

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, confirmed case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases


January 26, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region confirmed case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases.

梁某patients, male, 18 years old, and currently residing in the city of广西北流. Patients January 19, 2009 the disease, the same day went to local hospitals for treatment, after the January 24 into the Yulin City Red Cross Hospital. By patients in a critical condition, after the full treatment is invalid in the January 26 deaths.

Epidemiological survey found that patients had come into contact with dead poultry. January 25, the Guangxi Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention collected specimens of patients with laboratory tests, the results for the H5N1 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive; January 26, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention review of patient specimens for testing, the results for the bird flu virus nucleic acid H5N1 positive.

According to World Health Organization of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed case definition and China's diagnostic standards for human avian influenza prevention and control of the Ministry of Health expert group to determine the cases of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed cases.

After the outbreak, the local government attaches great importance to have been in accordance with the "human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza contingency plans", launched a public health emergency Ⅱ-class emergency response, the implementation of prevention and control measures. All close contacts of the implementation of strict medical observation, and actively carry out a comprehensive, detailed epidemiological investigation. Up to now, all close contacts are not unusual clinical manifestations.
The cases of the situation, the Ministry of Health has the World Health Organization, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions and the national communications.

http://www.moh.gov.cn/publicfiles/bu...0901/38930.htm

[HenryN]

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,56.425781&z=4

[Commonground]

New case.

currently residing in the city of广西北流.

广 = Guang
西 = West
北 = North
流 = Flow

[AlaskaDenise]

China reports fifth bird flu death this year

26 Jan 2009 13:11:25 GMT
Source: Reuters
BEIJING, Jan 26 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Health said a young man had died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu on Monday, in the fifth reported death of 2009.

The 18-year old was admitted to hospital in the southwestern region of Guangxi, bordering Vietnam, on Jan 24, after falling ill on Jan 19. (Reporting by Lucy Hornby and Niu Shuping)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK116225.htm

[HenryN]

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01...angxi_18M.html

[Dutchy]

We have a name: Liang.

Fifth death from bird flu reported in south China

www.chinaview.cn 2009-01-26

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- An 18-year-old man died from bird flu on Monday in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the fifth human death from the H5N1 virus in China this year.

According to a press release posted on the website of the Ministry of Health, the man surnamed Liang fell ill on Jan. 19 in Beiliu City of Guangxi.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...t_10722968.htm

[Commonground]

map:

http://images.nationmaster.com/image..._border_88.jpg

[Dutchy]

China reports fifth bird flu death this year

26 Jan 2009

(Adds details)

BEIJING, Jan 26 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Health said a young man had died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu on Monday, the fifth reported death this month.

The 18-year-old was admitted to hospital on Jan 24 in Yulin, in the southwestern Guangxi, bordering Vietnam, after falling ill and entering a local clinic in the town of Beiliu three days earlier.

He had contact with dead poultry before falling ill, the Ministry said, adding that people who have been in contact with him have not shown any signs of the illness.

In December, the Ministry of Agriculture reported positive results during routine tests for bird flu among poultry in Jiangsu province, but has not reported an outbreak among poultry for months.

The H5N1 flu remains largely a virus among birds, but experts fear it could mutate into a form that is easily transmitted by humans and spark a pandemic that could kill millions worldwide.

Since the H5N1 virus resurfaced in Asia in 2003 it has infected 399 people worldwide and killed 252 of them, according to World Health Organization data on Saturday.

The bird flu deaths in China in January have been scattered across the country in areas where there has been no known outbreak of bird flu among poultry, raising concerns among scientists that the virus may be present but masked by widespread vaccination.
Another victim, a 29-year old man in Guizhou province, is in stable condition, the Xinhua news agency said on Monday, while a two-year old girl in a Shanxi hospital is now recovering.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP423784.htm

[HenryN]

Fifth death from bird flu reported in south China

www.chinaview.cn 2009-01-26 21:27:30

Print

Special report: Global fight against bird flu BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- An 18-year-old man died from bird flu on Monday in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the fifth human death from the H5N1 virus in China this year. According to a press release posted on the website of the Ministry of Health, the man surnamed Liang fell ill on Jan. 19 in Beiliu City of Guangxi. Liang was transferred to Yulin Municipal Red Cross Hospital on Jan. 24. He died on Monday. The young man tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, according to the test result on Monday from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The ministry said it had reported the case to the World Health Organization and informed the health authorities of China's Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

Editor: An

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...t_10722968.htm

[HenryN]

Zoomed map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,14.523926&z=6

[Commonground]

Guangxi, on the Spring Festival market monitoring of live poultry to Japan to strengthen bird flu prevention and control

2009 on 26 day 10:06:51
Chinese New Year's Eve, and autonomous regions of major animal disease prevention and control headquarters office held an emergency meeting the requirements during the Spring Festival around the strengthening of the avian flu and other major animal disease prevention and control work. From the beginning of January 25, Guangxi animal disease prevention and control centers in the area during the Spring Festival, I focus on the live poultry market on the week to monitor the change monitoring.

Spring Festival, the most frequent transactions before and after the livestock and poultry. Based on the current avian flu and other major animal disease prevention and control work of martial law Jun situation, the General Office of the regional government next January 24 issued an urgent circular to strengthen the avian flu during the Spring Festival and other major animal disease prevention and control work. Major animal disease prevention and control of the autonomous region headquarters urged all localities to implement the notification requirement as soon as possible, strengthen leadership, implement the responsibility system, establish and improve disease prevention at various levels of accountability and accountability, leadership, agencies, funds should be put in place and fully prepared to do a good job of goods, adhere to the 24-hour duty system, to strengthen sectoral coordination. All localities are required to strengthen accountability, must not be negligent, the Lunar New Year period to strengthen the major animal disease prevention and control work of the inspectors and animal disease investigation, do a good job in the emergency program of work, if contingency plans for the prompt start of the epidemic.

Guangxi animal disease prevention and control centers have been carried out emergency supplies of vaccine reserves, the Group of Experts and technical staff ready to deal with sudden major animal epidemic situation. Aquatic群防群控the livestock sector will intensify efforts and to remind consumers not to purchase and consumption of livestock and poultry died of the disease, once found dead livestock and poultry should be reported immediately to the relevant departments for their timely processing of sound. (Xinhua / Liu Xiaochun correspondent / Bi Chao-bin)

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by niman

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01...angxi_18M.html

Commentary

Confirmed H5N1 Fatality in Guangxi China
Recombinomics Commentary 13:18
January 26, 2009


Patients January 19, 2009 the disease, the same day went to local hospitals for treatment, after the January 24 into the Yulin City Red Cross Hospital. By patients in a critical condition, after the full treatment is invalid in the January 26 deaths

The above translation from China’s Ministry of Health website, describes another (18M) H5N1 confirmed fatality (see updated map). This case, in Guangxi, is the furthest south and near the border with Vietnam (see zoomed map), where clade 7 has been reported this season.

Clade 7 was also confirmed in Jiangsu last month, raising concerns that this clade has silently spread throughout China. The only H5N1 reported to date in poultry was in the Jiangsu outbreaks, but confirmed human cases have now been reported throughout most of China, raising concerns that H5N1 will significantly spread during New Year travel and celebrations this week.

.

[Commonground]

[The reason I post these, is because I will look for this sign in my searches.]
network www.gxi.gov.cn 2009-01-25 Source:
Emergence of a number of provinces for a few days ago of human infection with bird flu, January 21, autonomous regions under the Health Department issued a "further strengthen the region's people on bird flu prevention and control work in an urgent notice", requiring the region's medical institutions at all levels to immediately launch fever out-of unexplained pneumonia cases to a high degree of vigilance, and earnestly do a good job in accordance with the relevant requirements of the verification of suspected cases, diagnosis, reporting, isolation and treatment; a result of inadequate prevention and control lead to the occurrence and spread of the epidemic, those responsible must be held accountable for the relevant responsibility.
Emergency notification requirements, the region at all levels of medical institutions to recognize that the current bird flu prevention and control of human infection with the urgency of understanding at various levels to implement the responsibility system, the main responsibility of leadership is the first person in charge of leadership is the main person in charge.

During the Spring Festival at all levels of medical institutions to arrange duty to ensure the smooth flow of information, there is no start of fever clinic, it is necessary to start work immediately. Of unexplained pneumonia cases to a high degree of vigilance, and earnestly do a good job in accordance with the relevant requirements of the verification of suspected cases, diagnosis, reporting, isolation and treatment for the patients and suspected patients to take the spot isolation, in situ observation, in situ treatment of measures to avoid severe cases of death, to ensure the safety of people's lives.

China emerged as a result of human infection with bird flu prior to the onset has a history of exposure to poultry. Thus engaged in poultry breeding, sale, transport, slaughter and other types of occupational groups is the high-risk groups. Autonomous Region Department of Health disease control agencies at all levels should take the area of bird flu prevention and control work responsibility, for poultry, trafficking, transport, slaughter and other types of occupational groups, it is necessary to guide them to do a good job of personal protective and venues disinfection work, in the event of the outbreak to promptly report, in strict accordance with the procedures stipulated by the state, ways, methods, time limits for processing of cases of under-reporting and false responsible for the outbreak in accordance with the law dealt with sternly. (Reporter Yao Lin)

http://66.102.1.102/translate_c?hl=e...VV3bnKU5WBltxQ

[sharon sanders]

Link to other recent Confirmed China bird flu cases:


Guizhou Province: Male 29 - Stable Condition

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92343


Hunan Province: Girl 2 - Stable Condition (possible cluster??)

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91522


Xinjiang, Province: woman, 31 - Death

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92223


Shandong Province: woman 27 - Death

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91617


Guizhou Province: Boy 16 - Death
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91723



Bejing: Woman 19 - Death

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90425




Map of Recent Cases:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...82&postcount=5

[HenryN]

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01..._Concerns.html

[Laidback Al]

The 18-year-old was admitted to hospital on Jan 24 in Yulin, in the southwestern Guangxi, bordering Vietnam, after falling ill and entering a local clinic in the town of Beiliu three days earlier.

Originally infected in Beiliu Guangxi, China (also known as Lingcheng, Pei-liu-hsien, Paklow, Pei-liu, Paklow-hsien, Pie-liu, Beiliu) 22.7072, 110.3492
Hospitalized in 北流市, Yulin, Guangxi, China (also Yü-lin-chen, Watlam-hsien, Yü-lin-hsien,Yo-ling, Yu-lin-chen, Watlam, Yu-lin-hsien) 22.516759, 110. 482356

[HenryN]

Originally Posted by Laidback Al

Originally infected in Beiliu Guangxi, China (also known as Lingcheng, Pei-liu-hsien, Paklow, Pei-liu, Paklow-hsien, Pie-liu, Beiliu) 22.7072, 110.3492
Hospitalized in 北流市, Yulin, Guangxi, China (also Yü-lin-chen, Watlam-hsien, Yü-lin-hsien,Yo-ling, Yu-lin-chen, Watlam, Yu-lin-hsien) 22.516759, 110. 482356

Updated map
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...5e311da68bbf0e

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by niman

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01..._Concerns.html

Commentary

Concerns of Increased H5N1 Transmission Efficiency in China
Recombinomics Commentary 14:55
January 26, 2009


The latest series of confirmed H5N1 cases in China indicate the H5N1 has achieved more efficient transmission to humans. Two of the cases are linked to contacts who had bird flu symptoms. In Beijing, a nurse recovered and test results have not been released. In Hunan, the mother of the confirmed case (2F) died of pneumonia when the daughter developed symptoms. Thus, in both clusters the index case died, but the contact survived. This was also reported in the cluster in northern Vietnam. The index case (13F) died of pneumonia, which her sister (8F) and neighbor (5M) survived. The survival of these cluster members is consistent with human to human transmission, which involves a low viral load, leading to milder cases.

Milder cases in China and Vietnam (see updated map) remain a concern. In China, all seven recent confirmed cases were admitted in critical condition. One is recovering, one is stable, and the other five are dead. This high case fatality rate suggests milder cases are not being detected / reported.

On the reporting front, the only H5N1 in poultry has been two outbreaks in Jiangsu in asymptomatic birds. Although some of the recent human cases have been linked to poultry exposure, there has been an absence of linkages to dead, dying, or H5N1 confirmed poultry.

This lack of poultry links raises concerns that the poultry is asymptomatically infected, which can be due to a vaccine mismatch. The outbreak in Jiangsu was due to clade 7, which is not well matched to clade 1 or clade 2 vaccines. The outbreak in Jiangsu was followed by new vaccinations of unaffected flocks. This pattern is similar to the series of outbreaks in northern China in the 2005/2006.These poultry outbreaks were not well controlled, and at least some of these outbreaks also involved clade 7, which has been detected in northern China, as well as Hunan. Moreover, it was recently detected in northern Vietnam and an isolate from Vietnam was recently selected as a human vaccine target, although no human vaccine against clade 7 is currently available.

Media reports in China have indicated A/Beijing/1/2009 was similar to H5N1 circulating in China between 2005-2008. This would be consistent with clade 7, which was widely detected in 2005. However, it also caused the first confirmed case in China, which was in Beijing in 2003. Moreover, clade 2.3.4 has been linked to most reported H5N1 human cases in China and it also has been widely circulating between 2005-2008 and also has origins dating back to 2003, so the description of A/Beijing/1/2009 is ambiguous with regard to clade number.

Clade 7 has a large number of receptor binding domain changes flanking position 190, which is also true for the Tamiflu resistant H1N1 seasonal flu, which has spread throughout the northern hemisphere.

The co-circulation of clade 7 H5N1 and clade 2B H1N1 which has H274Y is an additional cause for concern, with regard to Tamiflu resistance on N and exchanges of receptor binding domain changes on H.

More information on the H5N1 clade linked to human cases in China and Vietnam would be useful as would release of H5N1 sequences from the recent cases in both countries.

.

[AlaskaDenise]

Regarding the statements about H2H recovery, low viral loads, & milder cases: Is this an indicator of what we can expect if/when BF becomes efficiently H2H? In the past, I believe someone said that a new virus is milder due to the "experienced" genetics it picks up via reassortment, but can that be true for a different reason when a virus adapts via recombination?

Given the increasing "similarities" in the HA, does this facilitate development of H2H capability by more than just acquisition of one polymorphism, i.e., will the speed of H2H development increase? What are some historic cases of increasing similarity preceeding large H2H-type changes, excluding reassortment? This may have been discussed in the past, but a review in the light of new examples might be enlightening.

.

[sharon sanders]

hat tip Treyfish -

1月26日，广西确诊一例人感染高致病性禽流感病例。

January 26, Guangxi confirmed case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases.

患者梁某，男，18岁，现住广西北流市。

Patients梁某, M, 18 years old, and currently residing in the city of广西北流.

患者2009年1月19日发病，即日前往当地卫生院就诊，后于1月24日转入广西玉林市红十字 会医院。

Patients January 19, 2009 incidence, the same day went to local hospitals for treatment, after January 24 transferred to Guangxi Yulin City, Red Cross Hospital.

因患者病情危重，经全力救治无效于1月26日死亡。

By patients in a critical condition, after the full treatment invalid in death January 26. http://66.102.1.101/translate_c?hl=e...vNJOJGDU5DzCmg

[sharon sanders]

Thanks everyone!

Please post all new human cases to this thread unless there is already a thread dedicated to the victim. Please see below for the list.

Originally Posted by Florida1

Link to other recent Confirmed China bird flu cases:


Guizhou Province: Male 29 - Stable Condition

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92343


Hunan Province: Girl 2 - Stable Condition (possible cluster??)

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91522


Xinjiang, Province: woman, 31 - Death

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92223


Shandong Province: woman 27 - Death

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91617


Guizhou Province: Boy 16 - Death
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91723



Bejing: Woman 19 - Death

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90425




Map of Recent Cases:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...82&postcount=5

[HenryN]

Human infection of bird flu reported in central China

www.chinaview.cn 2009-01-31 20:05:39

Print

BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- A 21-year-old female farmer was confirmed as infected with bird flu in central China's Hunan Province, said the provincial health authority on Saturday. The patient was found sick on Jan. 23 and hospitalized on Jan. 26. So far she has been in stable condition and recovering. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...t_10741532.htm

[HenryN]

http://www.moh.gov.cn/publicfiles/bu...0901/38933.htm

Infection Hunan confirmed case of human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza


Hunan Provincial Department of Health January 31 briefing, the province confirmed case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases.

舒某某patients, female, 21 years old, farmers, who lives in Hunan Province溆浦县. Patients January 23, 2009 in the incidence溆浦县whose condition had worsened in the January 26 People's Hospital溆浦县treatment, January 29 transferred to Changsha Xiangya Hospital, Central South University hospital. At present, the basic stability of patients, clinical symptoms improved significantly and are actively in treatment.

January 29, Hunan Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory specimens of patients with detection, the results for the H5 subtype avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive; January 30, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a review of patient specimen testing, the results for the birds H5N1 influenza virus nucleic acid positive. Epidemiological survey found that patients had come into contact with dead poultry.

According to World Health Organization of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed case definition and diagnostic criteria in China, Hunan Provincial Department of Health of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza prevention and control of the expert group to determine the cases of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed cases.

After the outbreak, the local government attaches great importance to have been in accordance with the "human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza contingency plans" to take the corresponding control measures. All close contacts of the implementation of strict medical observation, and timely to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological investigation. Up to now, all close contacts are not unusual clinical manifestations.

The cases of the situation, the Ministry of Health has been the World Health Organization, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions and relevant national communications.

[HenryN]

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,25.488281&z=5

[Treyfish]

Hunan 21 year old of female agriculture dyes the bird flu Hong Kong to attain the notification
2009-01-31 19:56

[on.cc special news]The department of health health protection center receives the National Medical department to notify human exposure bird flu H5N1 today the diagnosis case. The patient is 21 year-old farmers, resides in the Hunan Province Xupu County, is taken bad in the 23rd of the month, right now accepts the treatment, the situation is stable, before she was taken bad, once contacted dies of illness the birds and beasts. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention carries on the examination to the patient sample, the checking sample assumes the positive reaction to the bird flu H5N1 virus. The health protection center expressed that will continue with the National Medical department will maintain close contacting, understands the case the details. Since this has been 09 years the inland 8th ancestor dyes the bird flu case, 4 person of incurable.
http://66.196.80.202/babelfish/trans...3fid%3d8294476

[Treyfish]

Hunan溆浦县diagnosed a woman infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza

http://news.QQ.com 2009年01月31日20:17 新华网 我要评论( 0 )

http://news.QQ.com 2009 on 31 day 01 years 20:17 Xinhuanet I would like to comment (0)

新华网长沙1月31日电（记者周青梅）湖南省卫生厅31日通报，湖南省新确诊一例人感染高致病性禽流感病例 。

Changsha, China January 31 (Xinhua Qingmei) Hunan Provincial Department of Health briefing on the 31st, Hunan new confirmed case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases.某某patients, female, 21 years old, farmers, who lives in Hunan Province溆浦县.

2009年1月23日在溆浦县发病，因病情加重，于1月26日到溆浦县人民医院住院治疗，1月29日转入位 于长沙市的中南大学湘雅医院住院治疗。

January 23, 2009 in the incidence溆浦县whose condition worsened on January 26 to溆浦县People's Hospital in-patient treatment into the January 29 is located in the city of Changsha, Central South University Xiangya Hospital hospitalization.

目前，患者病情基本稳定，临床症状明显

At present, the basic stability of patients, clinical symptoms

Improved medical staff are actively in treatment.
January 29, Hunan Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory specimens of patients with detection, the results for the H5 subtype avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive; January 30, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a review of patient specimen testing, the results for the birds H5N1 influenza virus nucleic acid positive. Epidemiological survey found that patients had come into contact with dead poultry.
According to World Health Organization of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed case definition and diagnostic criteria of China, Hunan Provincial Department of Health of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza prevention and control of the expert group to determine the cases of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed cases.
After the outbreak, Hunan local government attaches great importance to have been in accordance with the "human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza contingency plans" to take the corresponding control measures. At the same time, all close contacts to implement strict medical observation, and timely to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological investigation. Up to now, all close contacts are not unusual clinical manifestations.

。

The cases of the situation, the Ministry of Health has been the World Health Organization, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions and relevant national communications.
According to the Hunan Provincial Health Department briefing, January 19, Huaihua City, Hunan Province Guizhou confirmed case of human infection from highly pathogenic avian influenza patients, January 20, the patient died due to treatment.http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=e...OtJnP84HmKXtBg

[Treyfish]

Hunan has a female to dye the bird flu again
2009-01-31 20:03: 00

The National Medical department notifies, a Hunan female infects the H5N1 bird flu, this was this province recently the second case.

Patient Mr./Ms. Shu (21 years old) are a farmer, the family live in the Hunan Province 嵼 county. Patient on January 23 in 嵼 county morbidity, because the condition aggravates, on January 26 to 嵼 the County people's hospital hospital treatment, on 29th changes over to Changsha South central University Xiangya Hospital hospital treatment. At present, patient condition basic stable, clinical symptom obvious change for the better, is being treated and cured positively.

The epidemiology investigation discovery, before the patient was taken bad, once contacted has died of illness the domesticated fowl.

This case's related situation, Ministry of Health already to the World Health Organization, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan area and related national notification.
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate...n&btnTrUrl=Tra

[Shiloh]

Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/worldN...37763120090131

China woman infected by bird flu, recovering
Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:18pm IST

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A 21-year-old woman has caught the H5N1 strain of bird flu in central China's Hunan Province but is recovering in hospital, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.

The farmer was found sick on Jan. 23 after coming into contact with birds that died of the disease, Xinhua quoted provincial health authorities as saying.

People who had close contact with the patient are under observation, but none of them has fallen ill so far. China has reported the case to the World Health Organization, Xinhua added.

On Monday, China said a young man had died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in the southwestern region of Guangxi, the country's fifth reported death from the disease this month.

H5N1 remains largely a virus among birds, but experts fear it could mutate into a form that is easily transmitted by humans, which could kill millions of people worldwide.

Since the virus resurfaced in Asia in 2003 it has infected about 400 people worldwide and killed over 250 of them, according to WHO data released earlier this month.

[HenryN]

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01...nan_Again.html

[Rwilmer]

After this new case this definently makes me beleive that cases were way undereported in previous years.