China suspects bus driver infected with bird flu

Local health authorities in southern China say they suspect a bus driver has been infected with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.

A statement from the Shenzhen and Guangdong health authorities says the 39-year-old man tested positive for the virus in Shenzhen city, which borders Hong Kong.

Friday's announcement comes a week after two dead birds in Hong Kong tested positive for H5N1. More than 19,000 birds were slaughtered Dec. 21 after the first bird _ a chicken _ tested postive.

The statement says the man surnamed Chen was hospitalized with a fever on Dec. 21 and tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 on Dec. 30. The Guangdong provincial health authority has reported the case to the Health Ministry for further diagnosis.

Chen is in critical condition. (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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