Duck in S China suspected of infecting H5N1

A duck at a market in China's southern city of Guangzhou was suspected of infecting the Influenza A (H5N1), according to the Guangdong Provincial Agriculture Department on Tuesday night.

The Guangzhou agriculture and animal husbandry department has carried out a comprehensive epidemic investigation of Jiangnandong Market in Haizhu District after a two-year-old boy from Hong Kong who visited the market in mid-May was confirmed with H5N1.

One duck out of the 40 samples was suspected to be infected with the virus, according to the municipal animal epidemic disease control and prevention center.

There is no report of human infection of H5N1 as of Tuesday in Guangzhou.

The 2-year-old boy confirmed with H5N1 infection on Saturday is currently receiving intensive care at Princess Margaret Hospital and his condition remained serious.

The boy developed fever and a runny nose on May 23 in Guangdong. He returned to Hong Kong on May 26 and sought medical attention from a private medical clinic in Mong Kok.