Feb 22 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday confirmed the death of a 41-year-old Chinese man from the H5N1 bird flu virus. Of the 29 cases confirmed to date in China, 19 have been fatal. There have been 232 human deaths globally from the H5N1 strain and 366 confirmed cases of infection since 2003, according to WHO data. Following is a list of confirmed human cases of H5N1. Total cases include survivors. Deaths Total cases AZERBAIJAN 5 8 CAMBODIA 7 7 CHINA 19 29 DJIBOUTI 0 1 EGYPT 19 43 INDONESIA 105 129 IRAQ 2 3 LAOS 2 2 MYANMAR 0 1 NIGERIA 1 1 PAKISTAN 1 1 THAILAND 17 25 TURKEY 4 12 VIETNAM 50 104 ------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 232 366 ------------------------------------------------- The H5N1 virus remains mainly a virus of birds, but experts fear it could change into a form easily transmitted from person to person and sweep the world, killing millions. So far, most human cases can be traced to direct or indirect contact with infected birds. Initial tests usually take a day or two to confirm if someone has H5N1. More detailed testing by government laboratories or those affiliated with the WHO can take a week or more. (Writing by David Cutler and Keith Weir, London Editorial Reference Unit)
Smoke billows from a chimney at a chemical factory in Tianjin municipality, neighbouring Beijing February 22, 2008. China has ordered Beijing and five surrounding provinces to cut industrial pollution for two ...
