LAGOS, Feb. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The two children suspected to have contacted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna have been confirmed healthy and free from the virus, the official News Agency of Nigeria reported on Tuesday.

    Abdulhamid Abubakar, chairman of the Kaduna state committee on bird flu, was quoted as saying that the children were made to undergo necessary test following a complaint by their parents, who suspected that they might have been infected with the virus after contact with some birds about a month ago.

    "The children who were treated for fever and cough, had since recovered," Abubakar said, adding that the local fowls in the family compound were destroyed in line with the government's directive.

    He said the affected children had been placed on close monitoring for any developments. The Kaduna state is the site of Africa's first bird flu cases, which were confirmed last week.

    Abubakar said members of his committee had already visited the home of the affected persons. Enditem