Macao Confirms First Case of Human Bird Flu Infection

MACAO, Dec. 14 (PNA/Xinhua) — Macao has confirmed its first case of human infection with bird flu virus, but the risk of large scale epidemic is low, the special administrative region’s health authorities said on Wednesday.

Macao’s Health Bureau told the press that a poultry trader, who has been quarantined after a sample from poultry market had been tested positive for bird flu, was tested positive for H7N9 strain earlier Wednesday. The trader is hospitalized and does not show any symptoms so far.

The bureau added that according to investigation about that trader and his wife, they have not had close contact with other people, therefore the risk of mass epidemic is low.

Macao’s Health Bureau and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau held a joint press conference on Tuesday night to issue a ban on all live poultry trade, after a sample from silky fowl tested positive for H7 strain of bird flu on Tuesday.

Health Bureau said a local poultry trader and a van driver from Chinese mainland have been recognized as contacts.

The dealer has been sent to hospital for virus test, and the driver who had return to Chinese mainland was already reported by Health Bureau to mainland authorities. (PNA/Xinhua)
BNB/EBP

(Source: PNA.gov.ph)