China reports new bird flu outbreaks

China reported its seventh and eighth bird ‘flu outbreaks in three weeks today, while Vietnam – which has suffered most of Asia’s human deaths from the virus – ordered police and the military to help fight the disease.

In Thailand, an 18-month-old boy became the 21st person to catch the H5N1 bird ‘flu virus, but he was recovering in a hospital, a senior health ministry official said.