# 2679
While the actual number of human cases of H5N1 infection in China remains a bit murky, overnight China officially announced their 3rd fatality in a little over 2 weeks; that of the 16-year-old boy we learned about just yesterday.
Still hanging on, but reportedly in critical condition is the 2 year-old named Peng, whose mother died two weeks ago with symptoms consistent with bird flu, but was not tested.
Although unlikely to be ever included in the official tally, the mother was likely a victim of the bird flu virus. If indeed a victim of H5N1, she would not be the first `silent victim' of this virus.
There are also rumors in the media, unsubstantiated, that two relatives of little Peng may be hospitalized, as well. Their condition, and symptoms, are not provided.
Until more information becomes available, my confidence level in these reports is low.
Officially, state media is reporting that 67 contacts of Peng are being monitored, but none have shown any symptoms of the disease.
Meanwhile, Chinese officials warn that there may be more human cases over the next couple of months.
This from DPA (Deutsche Presse Agentur).
Boy, 16, becomes third to die of bird flu in China this year - Summary
Posted : Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:36:02 GMT
Beijing - A 16-year-old boy died Tuesday of bird flu, becoming the third person in China in a little more than two weeks to succumb to the disease. The boy died in Huaihua in the central province of Hunan after having contact with poultry, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing provincial health officials.
Earlier, a senior government virus expert warned that more human infections were expected in the country with the world's largest poultry population.
Shu Yuelong, vice director of virus control and prevention with the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said prevention measures must be improved and called on China's people to avoid contact with poultry, especially sick or dead birds.
A 27-year-old woman died Saturday of avian flu in the eastern coastal province of Shandong while a 19-year-old woman died January 5 in Beijing.
A 2-year-old girl is also in critical condition with the disease in a hospital in the northern province of Shanxi.
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