# 504
Yesterday, it was reported that a 15-year-old girl in Laos was suspected of having the H5N1 infection. Today, the story is little changed, except there is some conflict in the reportage over her contact with poultry. In at least one wire story, she reportedly worked at a poultry farm.
This from AFP:
Laos reports first suspected human case of bird flu
HANOI (AFP) - A 15-year-old girl may be the first person infected with bird flu in communist Laos, state media has said Monday as her blood samples were being tested in neighbouring Thailand.
The girl, who lives in an area near the capital Vientiane, where avian flu broke out among poultry two weeks ago, suffered flu-like symptoms including a cough, aching limbs and headaches, the Vientiane Times said.
Health Minister Ponmek Dalalay alerted Laos to the case in a press conference but reportedly cautioned: "We cannot yet say whether she was infected with bird flu or not as more detailed scientific research is needed."
Health teams had surveyed more than 7,800 households in 20 villages in Sisattanak district, Vientiane, after the outbreak, the report in the state-controlled newspaper said.
