21.   AS health experts worldwide scramble to learn more about the mystery bird flu, some Chinese herbalists say they know how to treat victims of the virus.

22.   Bird flu struck Hong Kong, killing six people and keeping thousands away from the island.

23.   Bird flu does not usually affect humans.

24.   But Dr Leung denied the environment was in any way a factor behind the outbreak of diseases like the mysterious bird flu.

25.   But he rejected suggestions that a crack team be set up to respond to crises like the bird flu or the financial turmoil.

26.   But Secretary for Health and Welfare Katherine Fok Law Siu-ching refused to comment when asked if there would be another ban if the bird flu resurfaced.

27.   But the traditional practitioners said they had yet to treat a patient suspected or confirmed with the bird flu.

28.   But the ministry denied reports that Hong Kong visitors to Thailand had to be screened for bird flu before entering the country.

29.   But then bird flu eclipsed every other health crisis in this city and cholera was largely forgotten.

30.   CALLS were made on Sunday for international and local flu experts to provide answers to the mysterious bird flu as soon as possible.