Monday, January 9, 2012

Shenzhen man dies of H5N1 bird flu



In the Chinese city of Shenzhen a 39-year-old male bus driver died of H5N1 bird flu. "Though it is highly pathogenic to human beings, the virus can not spread among people," said the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "There is no need for Shenzhen citizens to panic."

The man was hospitalized Dec. 25, four days after contracting a fever, and died a week after two dead birds were identified in nearby Hong Kong. The disease is not contagious once contracted but is typically caught by someone who comes into close contact with the diseased birds.

According to the World Health Organization there were 59 deaths out of 88 cases of H5N1 bird flu worldwide. None have been reported in the United States.

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