February 24, 2006

South Korea admits to first cases of bird flu in humans
 

South Korea on Friday confirmed its first-ever cases of bird flu spreading to humans  way back in 2004-2004 but the disease did not sicken any of the four poultry workers, a health official said.

There were no further details immediately available on which strain of bird flu was involved or why the results were delayed for so long.

Yonhap news agency said the results had only recently come after more precise testing in the U.S.

Koh Yoon-kwon, an official at the Health Ministry, confirmed the tests had been positive but gave no further details. Ministry officials were planning a news conference later Friday.