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Seven warded for suspected bird flu |
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PUTRAJAYA: Seven people from Gombak, suspected to be infected with avian flu, have been hospitalized yesterday as the front-line offensive against the dreaded disease kicked in. They were picked out from among 916 residents from 161 houses at Km7 of Jalan Genting Klang, Kuala Lumpur, who were screened by health officials. Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek told a press conference before the ministry's post-cabinet meeting that 10 people from the villages were referred to the hospital as they had symptoms of flu. However, only seven were warded while the other three were discharged. The seven admitted are five children (two boys and three girls) aged between two months and 12 years, and two adults in their 50s. |
Chua said later last night that a seven-month-old baby was discharged in the afternoon but an 18-month-old was admitted. He also said five of the seven still warded will be discharged today as they have tested negative for bird flu. The Veterinary Services Department has culled 836 chickens, ducks and geese since Sunday night after it was deter mined that the H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus had killed 40 chickens at Kg Pasir Wardieburn in Jalan Genting Kelang. The operation covered a 1km radius from Kampung Pasir Wardieburn. Acting department head Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil said from today, his officials will carry out checks from the 2km to 10km radius. |
The area to be covered extends as far north as Setapak, south to Pudu, and east to Hulu Klang and west to Kepong. The checks will take a week. Yesterday, the Health Ministry launched surveillance in Gombak following the death of the 40 free range (kampung) chickens. Chua said although avian flu has affected only chickens and not humans, the seven people were admitted for checks as they had symptoms and were exposed to chickens. He said the ministry will continue to conduct passive surveillance covering 300m radius from the chicken pens for another seven days.
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