Bird flu scare: Patient tests negative

Malay Mail: The man warded recently at Penang Hospital with symptoms of lung infection does not have the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
Initial tests on the 61-year-old man showed he was free from the virus.
"Hospital authorities have, however, advised him to stay for a few more days so that they can continue to observe his condition," parliamentary secretary to the Health Ministry, Datuk Lee Kah Choon, said yesterday.
"All I can say is that he does not have the deadly virus but the health authorities need to conduct more tests to determine what he is suffering from.
"There are no bird flu cases in Penang or other parts of the country," he added.
The man was warded on Friday, five days after returning from China with his family.
He felt ill soon after his return and began to show flu-like symptoms three days later.
The man said he did not have any contact with live or dead birds in China and did not visit any poultry farm.
Lee said the Ministry had identified 21 hospitals nationwide in anticipation of bird flu.
"The Government is also looking at providing Tamiflu as and when there is a need.
"We have a comprehensive plan to protect every one, be it patients, medical staff and the people at large," he said.
He also said the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry as well as the Customs and Immigration departments had an equally important role to play in the fight against avian flu.