New bird flu claims more victims
H7N9 influenza spreads to Beijing, may come from poultry
The new type of bird flu in China, called H7N9, continues to infect and kill people, with the World Health Organization reporting new cases daily. News of the virus is unfolding quickly as public health officials and scientists struggle to learn about it. Among the latest discoveries:
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First case with no symptoms
Though most confirmed cases have meant pneumonia and difficulty breathing, Chinese officials have identified a 4-year-old Beijing boy as a carrier of the virus: DNA tests revealed that he is infected but has no symptoms, according to a news report from the Xinhua News Agency.
The boy represents only the second confirmed case of the disease in the city. His lack of symptoms raises the possibility that more people may have contracted the virus without anyone being aware.