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Friday, December 16, 2011

Hong Kong : Woman tests negative for H5 avian flu virus

From Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (December 16) that the specimen taken from a 48-year-old woman who touched a sick bird had yielded negative results for influenza A virus with all subtypes, including H5, by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

The woman picked up the sick bird with her bare hands and without wearing a face mask on December 13. The bird later died and tested positive for H5 avian influenza virus. The woman developed fever, sore throat and diarrhoea on December 14. She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) yesterday for isolation and laboratory testing. Tests on her specimen taken yesterday yielded negative results for influenza A virus with all subtypes by PCR.

Tests for other viruses are being done by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB).

PHLSB is now proceeding with tests of the specimen taken from the woman's 11-year-old son; results are pending. Her son was also admitted to PMH yesterday for isolation and laboratory test as a precautionary measure. He had recovered from fever and cough earlier this week.

CHP's investigation continues."

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