Bird flu case in Taiwan

Business in Taiwan poultry stalls was hit hard on Thursday after a case of the H7N9 bird flu strain was reported here.

Taiwan's Health Department said that a 53-year-old businessman had contracted the flu while travelling in China

It's the first reported case outside mainland China.

The man was hospitalised when he became ill three days after returning from his trip.

Authorities said he is in a serious condition.

An unidentified vendor in a Taipei market said customers should not worry.

But another said business is down.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) UNIDENTIFIED VENDOR, SAYING:

"Before, perhaps we were able to sell seven to eight chickens, but now, it's about four to five."

The Taiwanese government said it would take appropriate measures, including opening a special out-patient clinic for H7N9 cases.

As of Tuesday, 108 people had contracted the disease on the Chinese mainland.