Hong Kong has confirmed its first human case of the new strain of the H7N9 bird flu.
Dr Ko Wing-man, the country’s food and health secretary, said a 36-year-old Indonesian maid, who is in a critical condition in hospital, had “a history of travelling to Shenzhen, buying a chicken, slaughtering and eating the chicken”.
Four people in close contact with her are also showing signs of flu-like symptoms.
H7N9 was first identified April and at least 139 human cases have been confirmed, including 45 deaths in China and Taiwan.
Hong Kong is now on public health alert and has suspended the import of live chickens from some farms across the border with the mainland.
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