Iraqi health minister confirms bird flu death

An Iraqi girl who died on January 17th in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya had bird flu, Iraq's health minister said today.

An Iraqi girl who died on January 17th in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya had bird flu, Iraq's health minister said today.

The World Health Organization had initially ruled out bird flu as the cause of death.

The WHO said on Saturday it was also carrying out tests on the girl's uncle, who died last Friday.

A spokeswoman said the initial tests on the girl had been carried out in Iraq.

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