A human case of the H9N2 virus - a mild form of avian influenza - was confirmed in a nine-month-old girl by Hong Kong health officials yesterday.

The infection was first of its kind in the past three years for the special administrative region.

Dr Thomas Tsang of the Center for Health Protection in the Department of Health, said the child, who lives in Tseung Kwan O in the New Territories, developed a fever on March 4 and was hospitalized on March 6. She recovered on March 9, and no other family members showed signs of illness.

Preliminary medical tests revealed the baby was infected with the H9N2 strain of the virus. Tsang said the baby had never been outside Hong Kong, but her family took her to a market where they bought live poultry.

The child was under observation yesterday in Princess Margaret Hospital.