A three-year-old boy who died after contracting the Hong Kong 1997 bird flu is believed to be the only human to have developed the illness.
A test is being devised to detect people who may have been infected with Influenza A (H5N1), but did not show symptoms.
Taskforce investigations had not shown any public health threat, Deputy Director of Health Dr Paul Saw Thian-aun said.
'In our extensive investigation we have not found another case, another clinical case of H5N1 illness.
'Based on information available to us now, we feel the boy's viral illness . . . was an isolated incident.' Dr Saw told the provisional legislature's health services panel the influenza did not pose a significant public health risk, and no 'undue concern' or special measures needed to be taken.
'Nevertheless we remain very vigilant,' he said.
'I am pleased to report that the experts at the CDC [Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta] are working at full steam to develop a new lab test for detection of H5N1 viral infection.
