BEIJING, Oct. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The people who have had close contact with the two patients afflicted with pneumonia in bird flu-hit Hunan Province have developed no abnormal symptoms, said a health official here Friday.

    Hunan health authorities have strengthened surveillance of the bird flu, said Chen Xianyi, director of the contingency office of the Ministry of Health (MOH).

    Experts from the MOH have arrived in Hunan to guide the prevention and control efforts, Chen said at a press conference.

    A 12-year-old girl in a village of Hunan died of severe pneumonia recently. Her younger brother has been hospitalized for pneumonia as well. Investigation shows that both ate chicken which had died of bird flu. Laboratory tests of their blood samples turned out negative for the H5N1 virus.

    The boy's body temperature has been normal for eight consecutive days and he is recovering, according to Chen.

    "The people who have had close contact with the two, including the villagers, medical staff at various levels have exhibited no abnormal symptoms so far," Chen said, noting that the health authorities are searching for possible infections on a larger scale. Enditem