Kathmandu, July 8 -- Test results of all specimens collected from the people who came in contact with a man who died of H5N1 virus (bird flu) have returned negative, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

The division said the World Health Organization had informed the office of the test results.

The division had collected 179 samples, from those who came in close contact with the deceased.

Of the 179 samples, 172 were taken from hospital staff-doctors, nurses, lab technicians, cleaning staff-who were involved in the treatment of the patient. The remaining seven samples were from the family members of the deceased.

"They have informed us that all samples have tested negative for H5N1," Dr Bibek Kumar Lal told the ...