Bird flu strain 'may have mutated'

01-04-2013

Health Secretary Ko Wing-man. File photo. The Secretary for Health, Ko Wing-man, has said he is seeking more information from mainland health authorities about a deadly strain of avian flu that has been found in humans for the first time.This follows the deaths of at least two people in Shanghai after they contracted the H7N9 bird flu virus. Dr Ko said he was concerned about whether the virus had mutated and could be spread between people. The Centre for Health Protection said it was stepping up surveillance for suspected cases. The former health chief, York Chow, warned it was very likely that the virus had mutated, as H7 itself is a low pathogenic form. He said the government must not take the matter lightly because of the high fatality rate.