Traveller is unlikely to have bird flu, say Australia officials

SYDNEY - A traveller who was hospitalised for tests because he felt unwell after arriving in Australia from Vietnam is unlikely to be suffering from bird flu, Australian health officials said today.

"Health experts believe it is very unlikely that the diagnosis will be avian influenza," the New South Wales Health Department said in a statement.

It said the unidentified person was recently in an area in Vietnam which had chickens and has had a previous influenza-like illness.

- REUTERS