Tests confirm doctor who died infected with bird flu

A Shanghai emergency room doctor who died of pneumonia and respiratory failure on Saturday had the H7N9 bird flu virus.

The 31-year-old Zhang Xiaodong was one of the two deaths of patients infected with the virus, the Shanghai Health and Family Planning Commission reported yesterday.

A Shanghai emergency room doctor who died of pneumonia and respiratory failure on Saturday had the H7N9 bird flu virus.

Zhang worked at the Pudong New Area People's Hospital.

The commission said Zhang started to show symptoms on January 11 and self-medicated before seeking treatment at the hospital on January 15 when his symptoms didn't improve.

His condition deteriorated and he was admitted to the intensive care unit at 8:47am. He died on Saturday at 4:59am.

Zhang had spent time at his parents' home on January 4, an investigation found. Their neighbor raises pigeons.

There is also a wet market where live poultry are sold opposite the hospital.

Zhang had no contact with people having flu like symptoms 10 days before he developed symptoms. So far his contacts haven't shown abnormal symptoms.

Patients treated by Zhang are also undergoing checks but no abnormal symptoms have been found so far.

The commission said samples from Zhang tested positive for the H7N9 virus on Sunday.

Dr Lu Hongzhou, director of the city's expert group for H7N9 diagnosis and treatment, took part in a group consultation on Zhang last Friday.

"He denied he was in close contact with live poultry," Lu said.