The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a mild form of avian influenza A H9N2 found in a 35-month-old girl.

The toddler lives in Sha Tin. Since late November, she had developed a cough, fever and runny nose and was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital. She has since recovered, and was discharged on December 11.

Lab tests found the bird flu virus in samples from her respiratory system. The World Health Organisation will be alerted. Such H9N2 infections in people are rare, and are usually mild.

This is the seventh time that H9 viruses were found in people in Hong Kong since 1999.

As a precautionary measure, people are reminded to avoid contact with live poultry to minimise the chance of being infected. For more information about bird flu, visit the centre's website.