# 1625
As often happens, a suspected human case of H5N1 infection has tested negative, this time in Pakistan.
First the report, then some discussion.
Laboratory test of suspected bird flu patient at KTH proves negative
PESHAWAR, Feb 6 (APP): Laboratory tests of a suspected bird flu female patient admitted at Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) Peshawar proved negative and she was suffering from chest infections.
This was disclosed by Dr. Mukhtair Zaman, Head of Pulmonology Ward KTH while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday.
Dr. Mukhtair Zaman said the lady, wife of Manat Khan resident of Bara (Khyber Agency), was admitted at KTH with symptoms of bird flu virus. The patient was also put in Isolation ward of the hospital as a precautionary measure to prevent viral infection to other people.
Soon after admission of the patient, her blood samples were sent to National Institute of Heath (NIH) Islamabad for confirmation, Dr. Mukhtair told newsmen.
He said laboratory tests of blood samples of the patients at NIH took few days which usually takes 72 hours.
However, now he continued, result of the laboratory tests have been arrived which proved that she is not the patient of bird flu virus.
Reason behind her condition is sever chest infection for which she is getting treatment and will soon recover, he concludes
During a large outbreak of bird flu in poultry, anyone showing ILI (Influenza-like Illness) symptoms is likely to find themselves categorized as being a `bird flu suspect'. It is only prudent to isolate and test these people, even though many will turn out to have something other than bird flu.
The tests to detect the virus are admittedly not 100% accurate. False negative results are common. Patients such as this are almost always placed on Tamiflu as well. This can also affect the reliability of the testing.
So you never can know for sure.
Bird flu is still difficult for humans to catch. It is likely, given the prevalence of other ILI's running around, that most of those who test negative really are negative.
For now, at least.
