Three persons with a history of fever were admitted Monday night at the
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) where they are currently under
observation on suspicion of being hit by the avian influenza virus, local
newspaper The News reported on Wednesday.
According to The News, 22-year-old Syed Wali, his 8-year-old sister Haleema
and a 44-year-old woman named Khadija were brought to the PIMS following
manifestation of symptoms of bird flu.
This is the first three suspected human cases of bird flu in Pakistan.
All three were reported to be dwelling in close proximity to the Sihala
poultry farm where the latest outbreak of H5N1 has been detected.
The patients were reported to have been admitted with a history of high-grade
fever only, with no other typical symptoms of the disease.
They had been quarantined and were undergoing various test, the News
reported.
"There is no proven human case of bird flu so far. We are only taking
precautionary measures," PIMS Executive Director Fazle Hadisaid.
