The patient is a 16-year-old male student who developed fever and pneumonia on March 17 and died on March 27. China Centre for Diseases Control & Prevention laboratory tests showed he was H5N1 positive.

Hong Kong health officials are maintaining close liaison with the ministry to obtain more information on the case.

People are reminded to stay alert to preventing bird flu, and to adopt the following measures:
* avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings; if you do come into contact, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water;
* thoroughly cook poultry and eggs before eating them;
* wash your hands frequently;
* cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, and throw used tissues into covered bins;
* avoid crowded places and contact with sick people with fever;
* wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms or need to take care of patients with fever; and
* when you have fever and flu-like illnesses during a trip or when coming back to Hong Kong, should consult doctors promptly and reveal your travel history.