Ms Wang, a 26-year-old farmer
from east China's Anhui Province who contracted bird flu a month ago, is
discharged from a hospital in Fuyang yesterday. Meanwhile in Shanghai, a
29-year-old migrant woman died of a suspected bird flu infection. — Lu Qijian
The woman diagnosed of bird flu
is discharged from hospital on Thursday after full recovery. Meanwhile in
Shanghai, a 29-year-old migrant woman died of a suspected bird flu
infection. [cnphoto] |
A migrant
woman who worked in Shanghai has died of a suspected bird flu infection, and the
city is stepping up inspections of poultry shipments from out of town, health
authorities said last night.
The city has asked the Ministry of Health to send experts for a final
diagnosis of the case.
The woman was identified as a Ms Li, 29. Her hometown was not reported.
Health authorities said Li visited doctors in Shanghai on March 15,
complaining of cough and fever.
Her condition deteriorated quickly, and she died on Tuesday night despite
hospital treatment, authorities said.
An unspecified number of people who had come in close contact with the woman
have been put under medical observation. None showed any signs of illness as of
last night, health authorities said.
Medical workers have sterilized every site the woman visited in town.
No bird flu outbreaks among poultry have been reported in Shanghai since
early 2004. There has never been a confirmed human case of the disease in the
city.
As a result of the woman's death, quarantine authorities have intensified
monitoring of animals at highway checkpoints, the city's animal epidemic center
said. They have also warned poultry markets to take preventive measures such as
sterilizing facilities.
Meanwhile, health authorities said there was no reason for local residents to
be unduly concerned as long as they practice good personal hygiene.
China has confirmed 15 cases of human avian flu since last year. Ten of the
victims died.
In Beijing yesterday, the Chinese and American Red Cross societies launched a
campaign to blanket China with millions of posters to teach the public how to
avoid bird flu as health experts warned of new virus risks when migrating birds
return from their winter homes.