BEIJING: A bus driver in southern China who contracted the bird flu virus died Saturday, health authorities said, in the nation's first reported human case of the deadly disease in 18 months.
The man, surnamed Chen, died in Shenzhen -- a boomtown that borders Hong Kong where thousands of chickens have already been culled after three birds tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus in mid-December.
He developed a fever on December 21 and was taken to hospital four days later, and diagnosed with severe pneumonia, said the health department in Shenzhen, a city of more than 10 million people.
The 39-year-old then tested positive for the H5N1 virus, the department said, adding he had apparently had no direct contact with poultry in the month before he was taken ill, nor had he left the city.
The H5N1 virus is fatal in humans in about 60 per cent of cases.
However, it does not pass easily from human to human, and the World Health Organization says it has never identified a "sustained human-to-human spread" of the virus since it re-emerged in 2003.
The health department in Guangdong province, where Shenzhen is located, announced Saturday that the bus driver died after his lung, heart and liver functions deteriorated.
"So far, 120 people who have had close contact with him have not presented abnormal symptoms," it said in a statement.
An official at the Shenzhen agriculture and fisheries bureau, surnamed Jiang, told AFP the bus driver had had no contact with birds.
"So far, we have not received any reports of any birds being infected," he said.
"It is unclear where the patient got the flu from. We will not make any plans to kill domestic birds unless we know that was the source, or if there is any sign of birds being infected."
Bird Flu is coming ! 2012 first war, fight bird flu. H5N1 first man to infected with H5N1 virus. friend around us be eextra caution... it not easy
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Our national strong growth...
SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy grew 4.8 per cent in 2011, significantly slower than the dramatic rebound of 14.7 per cent growth in 2010.
It is slightly below the forecast of around five per cent by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who announced the growth figures in his 2012 New Year message on Saturday, described the pace of growth for the year as "steady".
He warned that with the external environment uncertain and debt problems in Europe far from solved, 2012 will look like a difficult year for the global economy.
He said that Singapore, as a small, open country, will inevitably be affected.
Mr Lee said 2011 was a significant year for Singapore, when its people went to the polls twice, and elected a new government and President.
He said that having made a significant political transition, the country and its people are now adjusting to new norms in a changed environment.
Mr Lee said that amidst this flux, Singapore needs to be confident of its position and clear about its priorities and plans to build a better country.
The prime minister said the government is working hard to tackle the immediate challenges.
It is committed to keeping homes affordable to all Singaporeans.
In 2011, it launched 25,000 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, which enabled many first timers to book their HDB flats.
In 2012, it's launching another 25,000 BTO flats.
In the private property market, the new Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty will moderate capital inflows and foreign demand, and help to stabilise prices.
Mr Lee said the government will redouble efforts to improve the public transport system and expand the train and bus network.
It will identify and put right the causes of the recent Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) service disruptions.
The Circle Line, completed in October, now transports 300,000 commuters daily, and more MRT lines are on the way.
Mr Lee said the government will also continue to enhance bus services to improve the daily commuting experience.
But these improvements will take time, and he urged the commuting public to "bear with us".
Mr Lee said beyond these pressing concerns, the government is attending to long-term issues to improve Singaporeans' lives.
Healthcare, he said, must stay affordable and accessible to give Singaporeans peace of mind.
The government is enhancing the education system to give young Singaporeans the best possible start in life.
Mr Lee stressed the importance of upholding inclusive growth and social mobility as pillars of a united Singapore.
He said this calls both for upgrading skills and productivity to improve wages, and for strengthening social safety nets.
And given Singapore's low birth rate, the country needs to find workable solutions to keep society and the economy vibrant and forward-looking.
Mr Lee described population as a "particularly complex challenge" which involves unavoidable trade-offs.
He said these issues will be discussed in the coming year, so that Singaporeans understand better what is at stake, and the choices they must make as a nation.
Mr Lee said overall, there is every reason to be confident and optimistic.
He said Singaporeans pulled together as one nation to overcome the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and stressed that the country must never lose its strengths.
He expressed confidence that Singaporeans will continue to bond as one people and "walk shoulder to shoulder into a brighter tomorrow" in a changing world.
It is slightly below the forecast of around five per cent by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who announced the growth figures in his 2012 New Year message on Saturday, described the pace of growth for the year as "steady".
He warned that with the external environment uncertain and debt problems in Europe far from solved, 2012 will look like a difficult year for the global economy.
He said that Singapore, as a small, open country, will inevitably be affected.
Mr Lee said 2011 was a significant year for Singapore, when its people went to the polls twice, and elected a new government and President.
He said that having made a significant political transition, the country and its people are now adjusting to new norms in a changed environment.
Mr Lee said that amidst this flux, Singapore needs to be confident of its position and clear about its priorities and plans to build a better country.
The prime minister said the government is working hard to tackle the immediate challenges.
It is committed to keeping homes affordable to all Singaporeans.
In 2011, it launched 25,000 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, which enabled many first timers to book their HDB flats.
In 2012, it's launching another 25,000 BTO flats.
In the private property market, the new Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty will moderate capital inflows and foreign demand, and help to stabilise prices.
Mr Lee said the government will redouble efforts to improve the public transport system and expand the train and bus network.
It will identify and put right the causes of the recent Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) service disruptions.
The Circle Line, completed in October, now transports 300,000 commuters daily, and more MRT lines are on the way.
Mr Lee said the government will also continue to enhance bus services to improve the daily commuting experience.
But these improvements will take time, and he urged the commuting public to "bear with us".
Mr Lee said beyond these pressing concerns, the government is attending to long-term issues to improve Singaporeans' lives.
Healthcare, he said, must stay affordable and accessible to give Singaporeans peace of mind.
The government is enhancing the education system to give young Singaporeans the best possible start in life.
Mr Lee stressed the importance of upholding inclusive growth and social mobility as pillars of a united Singapore.
He said this calls both for upgrading skills and productivity to improve wages, and for strengthening social safety nets.
And given Singapore's low birth rate, the country needs to find workable solutions to keep society and the economy vibrant and forward-looking.
Mr Lee described population as a "particularly complex challenge" which involves unavoidable trade-offs.
He said these issues will be discussed in the coming year, so that Singaporeans understand better what is at stake, and the choices they must make as a nation.
Mr Lee said overall, there is every reason to be confident and optimistic.
He said Singaporeans pulled together as one nation to overcome the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and stressed that the country must never lose its strengths.
He expressed confidence that Singaporeans will continue to bond as one people and "walk shoulder to shoulder into a brighter tomorrow" in a changing world.
Time to earn big money goodbye 2011
SINGAPORE: Shaved white truffles with potato carpaccio topped with foie gras, and grilled beef ribeye with black pepper tuile and virtual bearnaise - these are just some of the dishes you can expect at the Joel Robuchon Restaurant in Resorts World Sentosa on New Year's Eve. However, be prepared to fork out S$650 per head.
Despite the steep price, the restaurant said it has been fully booked since two weeks back, with 30 people now on its waiting list.
Tomonori Danzaki, executive chef of the restaurant, said: "The price of our regular degustation menu is S$550. But with New Year's Eve being one of the most important celebratory events, we've used more premium ingredients like foie gras and caviar to create a luxury menu for our guests.
"I hope they will enjoy their dining experience. I want them to use their five senses to enjoy the menu and welcome 2012 with a smile. With special table-side service and white truffles, which are in season, to accompany Mr Robuchon's specialty caviar dish, this will definitely enhance the dining experience."
Over at the Capella at Victoria Street, a New Year's feast will cost some S$1,000 per person.
For the party-goer, clubs such as MINK at Pan Pacific Singapore and FILTER at Gallery Hotel are charging S$1,500 for a standing table and S$3,000 for the sofa option. Despite that, they are fully booked.
Phil Poon, co-owner of MINK and FILTER, said: "I guess during the end of the year period, everyone's back from overseas, friends are back, they want to get together and have a good time.
"It's been a good year; people want to unwind and relax, and a minimum spend of S$4,000, to Singaporeans it may be quite normal. Its quite a common thing that we have been noticing not just in Singapore, but also around the Asian region."
Meanwhile, at Pangaea at Marina Bay Sands, a table there costs at least S$4,000.
Despite the steep price, the restaurant said it has been fully booked since two weeks back, with 30 people now on its waiting list.
Tomonori Danzaki, executive chef of the restaurant, said: "The price of our regular degustation menu is S$550. But with New Year's Eve being one of the most important celebratory events, we've used more premium ingredients like foie gras and caviar to create a luxury menu for our guests.
"I hope they will enjoy their dining experience. I want them to use their five senses to enjoy the menu and welcome 2012 with a smile. With special table-side service and white truffles, which are in season, to accompany Mr Robuchon's specialty caviar dish, this will definitely enhance the dining experience."
Over at the Capella at Victoria Street, a New Year's feast will cost some S$1,000 per person.
For the party-goer, clubs such as MINK at Pan Pacific Singapore and FILTER at Gallery Hotel are charging S$1,500 for a standing table and S$3,000 for the sofa option. Despite that, they are fully booked.
Phil Poon, co-owner of MINK and FILTER, said: "I guess during the end of the year period, everyone's back from overseas, friends are back, they want to get together and have a good time.
"It's been a good year; people want to unwind and relax, and a minimum spend of S$4,000, to Singaporeans it may be quite normal. Its quite a common thing that we have been noticing not just in Singapore, but also around the Asian region."
Meanwhile, at Pangaea at Marina Bay Sands, a table there costs at least S$4,000.
result of lottery
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