Kathmandu, May 20 -- The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has collected specimens of 179 people who came in contact with a man who died from bird flu virus (H5N1).

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

"We are preparing to send samples abroad for tests," Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, director at the division told the Post, "I can assure you that no other people have so far been infected with the deadly disease." He said that the division would send samples to the laboratory, recommended by the World Health Organiza...