Girl, eight, becomes fifth victim of bird flu

AN eight-year-old girl has become the fifth confirmed death from bird flu in Vietnam, the World Health Organisation said yesterday as Asia went on alert against the chicken-borne virus.

Although some governments fretted and maintained tough disease controls, many consumers seemed unconcerned and bought up big on poultry ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations which start on Thursday. Health officials believe patients contract the illness, also known as avian flu, through contact with the droppings of sick birds. Eating properly cooked chicken is not believed to pose a risk.

Even so, chicken farms across Asia have been ravaged millions of fowl have died of infection or have been slaughtered as a precaution.