Avian flu virus

Indonesian health officials say local tests have confirmed a man has tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu virus.

Authorities say the man, in his 20s, is in stable condition at a hospital in West Sumatra province.

Friday, the World Health Organization confirmed that a one-year-old girl had become the 23rd person in Indonesia to die of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Also Friday, representatives from the Pan American Health Organization, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture and the Organization of American States met in Washington to discuss ways to head off a possible bird flu epidemic.

About 25 centers throughout the region already monitor outbreaks of influenza.  With the world sending much of its financial and technical aid to other geographic areas, the officials say it is important for the region to pool its resources.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.