November 26, 2007

Hong Kong's sick egret: positive for bird flu

Hong Kong tested a sick egret last week and found it to be positive of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, agricultural officials disclosed.

The bird was found last Sunday in a park at the New Territories area. Laboratory tests showed that the bird was indeed infected with the killer strain.

Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department warned the public against contacts with wild birds and live poultry.

More than a dozen wild birds were discovered sick or dead in Hong Kong due to bird flu. There had been 200 human casualties worldwide since the disease was first discovered in 2003.