The Beijing Municipal Health Bureau has held a press conference at Beijing's Ditan Hospital. It says that the city's first H7N9 patient, a 7-year-old girl, has fully recovered and was discharged from hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Bouncing back to health. Beijing's first, and so far only H7N9 bird flu patient has finally been discharged after seven days of meticulous care and treatment.

Cheng Jun, spokesperson of Beijing Ditan Hospital, said, "The girl has tested negative for the virus several times. Her temperature is back to normal and all the symptoms have vanished. According to a joint diagnosis of experts, she has fully recovered and was released this afternoon."

Hospital officials say the girl's parents, who have been under quarantine, have shown no signs of infection and may also go home. Meanwhile, the 4-year-old boy, who carries the virus but showed no symptoms, has now tested negative twice. He was also released from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. However, officials say this is not the end.

Zhong Dongbo, spokesman of Beijing Municipal Health Bureau,said, "We strongly suspect the H7N9 virus has been widely transmitted among poultry. This may eventually affect humans. As the weather gets warmer, some migrating birds may also carry the virus to Beijing. So we will not let down our guard."

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