21.   Five people in mainland China had been stricken by the new strain of bird flu virus before it sickened two children in Hong Kong, newspapers reported Friday.

22.   LIVE poultry markets will continue to carry the threat of the bird flu virus, an influential expert has warned.

23.   Ms Lok said the medical staff in these units faced the highest risk of direct contact with patients and could easily be exposed to the bird flu virus.

24.   Mrs Wei made the announcement after she visited the market, which is suspected to have been one of the sources of the deadly bird flu virus.

25.   Shenzhen farmers, however, denied reports that a large number of their chickens had succumbed to the bird flu virus.

26.   Rural residents complained that dogs and rats were getting at the carcasses, prompting fears that they might spread the bird flu virus.

27.   So far, nine people have been confirmed as having the bird virus, while three others are strongly suspected of having it.

28.   So far, nine people have been confirmed as having the bird virus, while two others are strongly suspected of having it.

29.   So far, nine people have been confirmed as having the bird virus.

30.   Suen also announced new measures to ensure that the bird virus would not not cause any more deaths.