Bird flu: Man hospitalised in Ahmedabad

We would be able to state whether the man has actually contracted the virus only after further tests, state health minister said.

In a suspected case of bird flu among humans, a poultry dealer, hailing from Amreli district of Gujarat, was on Saturday admitted to a civil hospital.

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The poultry dealer had approached the local authorities claiming that he had lost 600 chickens to the virus in the past few days and had himself contracted bird flu, state Health Minister Ashok Bhatt said.

"However, we would be able to state whether the man has actually contracted the bird flu virus only after detailed medical tests ," the minister said, adding that his blood samples were sent to laboratory for testing.

"Two preliminary tests conducted on him have been negative. But we are not taking any chances and hence we have admitted him to the hospital and are carrying out other tests," the minister added.

The minister said that he is also convening a high-level meeting with the health and animal husbandry department officials in this regard.