Man tested for bird flu in Cyprus

[Sally Furniss]

Man tested for bird flu in Cyprus

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L07680359.htm

NICOSIA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - A man was being tested for avian influenza in Cyprus on Wednesday after displaying flu-like symptoms following a trip to Thailand, authorities said, but stressed the tests were only a precaution.

The man, who media described as a European national, arrived in Cyprus from Germany on Tuesday. He had earlier visited Thailand, which has had several cases of the virus.

"The diagnosis from doctors is that the risk of it being avian influenza is minimal. It is probably a common infection, but this is a precaution," Health Minister Charis Charalambous told state radio.

The man was being kept in isolation at a hospital in the southern town of Limassol. Biological samples have been sent to Athens for testing and results were expected by Friday.

The H5N1 virus has spread into the Middle East, Africa and Europe since it re-emerged in Asia in 2003. Although it remains largely an animal disease, it can kill people who come into close contact with infected birds.

It is known to have killed at least 165 people since 2003.

[hawkeye]

Re: Man tested for bird flu in Cyprus

Cyprus on bird flu alert
CYPRUS - The public health services were yesterday on full alert after it emerged an EU citizen displaying flu like symptoms at Limassol general hospital could possibly have avian influenza reports Cyprus Mail.

The man, who arrived at Larnaca airport from Germany yesterday, became unwell on his way to Limassol. He was taken to hospital where it emerged he had recently spent long periods of time in Thailand.

According to CyBC radio, the doctors ran a series of tests on the patient to screen for the H5 bird flu virus. The tests were sent to Greece for analysis, the results of which are expected back tomorrow. If the tests come back positive, samples will be sent to the UK to test whether it?s the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.

Health Minister Charis Charalambous said all precautions had been taken and the man had been placed in isolation. In the meantime the European Centre for Disease Control had been notified as would the airlines the man had used so as to alert the other passengers, he said.

The Health Minister could not last night be reached for further comment.

[hawkeye]

Re: Man tested for bird flu in Cyprus


Man tests negative for bird flu in Cyprus
07 Feb 2007 19:01:17 GMT
Source: Reuters

updates with man given all-clear)

NICOSIA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - A man tested for avian influenza in Cyprus after displaying flu-like symptoms following a trip to Thailand was given the all-clear on Wednesday, authorities said.

The man, who media described as a European national, arrived in Cyprus from Germany on Tuesday. He had earlier visited Thailand, which has had several cases of the virus.

"The diagnosis from doctors is that the risk of it being avian influenza is minimal. It is probably a common infection," Health Minister Charis Charalambous told state radio.

Initial tests suggested the man was suffering from a common strain of flu, the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday.

The man was being kept in isolation at a hospital in the southern town of Limassol as a precaution.

The H5N1 virus has spread into the Middle East, Africa and Europe since it re-emerged in Asia in 2003. Although it remains largely an animal disease, it can kill people who come into close contact with infected birds.

It is known to have killed at least 165 people since 2003.