Malaysia is still free from bird flu infection involving human beings, said Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek today.

The tests on 15 people around the Genting Klang area here admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for further tests proved negative, he added.

Till today, the minister, said there has not been a single case of human beings tested positive for the deadly H5N1 virus.

He, however, said a 17-year-old girl from the Klang Valley, was warded at HKL yesterday for further examination after she complained of fever.

"She was worried of being infected with bird flu as she was handling chickens.

"As a precautionary measure, we admitted her to a special ward. We also sent her blood samples to the Institute for Medical Research. We will know the results only this evening," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

On latest developments on preventive and monitoring of bird flu, Chua said his ministry had ended active monitoring involving all premises within the 300m radius from where 40 free-range chicken died of bird flu on Feb 19.

"Now we have entered the second round whereby we only carry out passive monitoring as every house to be visited within the 300m radius has been completed in the first round over the past five days," he said.

Second round

He said the second round started on Saturday with ministry officials maintaining a passive monitoring of house occupants in the affected area for symptoms of bird flu.

Chua said yesterday the passive monitoring is expected to remain in force for two weeks before the country is declared free from bird flu.

Eight hundred and fifty-four houses and 3,120 people were screened within the 300m radius from the infected area under the preventive and control exercise mounted by the Health Ministry and related government agencies.

Asked for his advice to the people if they found carcasses of chickens or birds in their areas, Chua said the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry would give further advice on dead birds while his ministry would focus on giving advice and monitoring humans.

A cabinet committee jointly chaired by him and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had been set up to tackle the bird flu outbreak, he added.