Bird Flu In Western Europe - Belgium?

A Belgium man who returned home on Thursday from the Bird Flu Endemically ravaged Turkey is thought to have The H5N1 Bird Flu Virus and is undergoing tests.

The man, whose name has not been given, complained of flu symptoms after returning to Belgium on Thursday, officials at a Brussels hospital said.

BBC

The first human case of suspected bird flu has appeared in western Europe. It is reported the person being treated is a male journalist living in Belgium. Special tests are now being carried out at the Saint Pierre hospital in Brussels, where doctors are taking every precaution to contain any infection. He was checked into hospital last night with flu-like symptoms.

Euro News


There is some confusion as this news is breaking as to whether the man is actually of Turkish Origin or a Tourist, or even a reporter covering the Turkish Outbreak.

If he was visiting family and friends there is more chance of him coming into direct contact with infected birds. The same if he was an Journalist, However if he was a Tourist the means of contraction from traditional handling of infected birds seems very unlikely!

Inge Jorris, Belgium Health Ministry spokeswoman, said Saturday the hospital had followed normal procedures and sent samples from the patient to The Scientific Institute of Public Health in Brussels. Test results due later on Saturday should show if the man, thought to be a journalist or a tourist, has the virus.

CNN

This is truly worrying and shows the chance of this virus spreading globally within a very short time.

I am eagerly awaiting the results of the tests and in addition more details on his behaviour and reason for being in Turkey, and therefore if the transmission is from direct contact with infected birds or products, or what we are all worried about, from a another Human.

Regards

Elf.
Edit spelling and Headline

[edit on 14-1-2006 by MischeviousElf]

Seems this is ok phew:

Preliminary tests on a man suspected of having the lethal H5N1 bird flu virus in Belgium show he is not infected with the disease, health officials say.

BBC

Luckily he just had a cold. However it made me think, if he had been infected with H5N1, and had passed it on in the airport, well it would be around most of the world by now...


Regards

Elf