HONG KONG, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Health officials in Hong Kong say they are taking extra measures to guard against bird flu after a human case of avian flu was confirmed.
Hong Kong reported its first case of human bird flu since February 2003. The woman was in serious condition.
York Chow, China's Secretary for Food and Health, said there is no major increase in the risk of bird flu pandemic in Hong Kong, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Healthcare experts said the 59-year old woman probably contacted the virus on the mainland. Chow said the avian virus she has is common in Asia.
World Health Organization was notified of the case and the Hong Kong government has asked Guangdong province to check poultry farms supplying birds to the city.
Hong Kong's Hospital Authority has also tightened safety measures in public hospitals, including shortening visiting hours and requiring staff and visitors to wear masks.
