A woman may have died of bird flu virus in the first such case in Shanghai, the city's health bureau said yesterday.

The 29-year-old migrant worker surnamed Li went to hospital on March 15 after she had cough, fever and breathing problems. Her condition worsened quickly and she died on Tuesday evening, according to a news release from the Shanghai Municipal Government News Office.

There was no information on where she worked or was treated.

The Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau tasked medical experts to ascertain the cause of death; and their conclusion was suspected bird flu infection.

The bureau has reported the case to the Ministry of Health, which is sending an expert team for further tests. If the woman is confirmed to have died of bird flu, she would be the 11th human fatality in the country.

The health authorities in Shanghai are closely monitoring those who had close contact with the woman; and no human infection has been reported.

According to the department in charge of animal epidemic outbreaks in Shanghai, there has been no bird flu infection among poultry in the city. The authorities are keeping a close eye on poultry brought in from elsewhere as well as in markets.

Experts have asked residents not to panic.

Peng Jing, vice-director of the Shanghai Health Bureau, called on citizens to trust the government's ability to fight bird flu; and promised that the public would be kept informed on any development.

Shanghai, which has an efficient public health network, successfully controlled the outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003.

To prevent and treat any human or poultry infections, the city has set up a special team, which comprises medical and animal-disease experts, and health officials. Prevention measures include vaccinating poultry, surveillance of farms and health checks for live poultry.

(China Daily March 24, 2006)