Girl In Iraq Did Not Die Of Bird Flu

Geneva, Switzerland -- The World Health Organization says the bird flu virus is not being blamed for the recent death of a 15-year-old girl in Iraq.

The agency says its Eastern Mediterranean office has "dismissed" the theory that the virus caused the girl's death. The girl died earlier this week near Iraq's border with Turkey, which is the site of a recent bird flu outbreak.

Iraqi health authorities agree that preliminary results of tests taken at the girl's home also suggest she did not die from avian flu. However, officials there say it's too early to offer a definitive conclusion.

The investigation into the girl's death follows concerns that the virus could spread from Turkey to neighboring countries.