A German tropical institute is examining two women for possible bird flu infection, authorities say -- but health officials say it is unlikely they have the disease.

The ambulance service in the northern port city of Hamburg said on Monday a female holidaymaker returning to Germany from a vacation in Thailand was being checked for bird flu symptoms at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine.

"We were called with a suspected case of bird flu and brought a woman to the tropical institute," said a spokesman for the ambulance service. A woman who had accompanied her was also being examined at the institute, the spokesman said.

The head of the city's infectious diseases department, Clara Schlaich, said: "It is very unlikely that a tourist has been infected with bird flu."

The institute declined to confirm the suspected cases. Final tests on the two women for for possible bird flu are expected to be released on Tuesday, the institute said.

Shares in German national airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG fell slightly after the news.

So far 12 people have died from bird flu in an epidemic that is sweeping Asia and which scientists fear may now be transmitted from person to person.

Ten countries in Asia have now reported cases of bird flu and millions of chickens and ducks across the region have died of the disease or been culled to prevent the virus spreading.

But only two countries -- Thailand and Vietnam -- have recorded the virus in humans.

Close

Today's Top News		Top International News
+WHO: Bird flu death rises to 15; vaccination recommended ( 2004-02-05) +Solana: EU ready to lift China arms embargo ( 2004-02-05) +Nation tops TV, cell phone, monitor production ( 2004-02-05) +Absence ... still makes China hot ( 2004-02-05) +Hu: Developing world in key role ( 2004-02-04)		+WHO: Bird flu death rises to 15; vaccination recommended ( 2004-02-05) +Solana: EU ready to lift China arms embargo ( 2004-02-05) +US Mass. court clears way for gay marriages ( 2004-02-05) +Pakistan nuke scientist asks forgiveness ( 2004-02-05) +Sharon ready for referendum on scrapping settlements ( 2004-02-05)