February 12, 2004

Thailand Confirms Sixth Human Bird Flu Case

Thailand has confirmed a sixth case of bird flu in humans, a health ministry official said Thursday.

An unidentified 13-year-old boy from the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum has tested positive for the virus and has been hospitalized, a Public Health Ministry official told the Associated Press.

Further details about the case weren't immediately available.

Bird flu has been found in birds in 40 of the country's 76 provinces, and Thai authorities have culled more than 26 million birds in an effort to control the outbreak.

It has killed four children and one adult in the country, and is suspected of having sickened 22 other people, nine of whom have died.