China's official news agency Xinhua reports a mysterious disease has killed 17 farmers in southwestern China. 41 more are been hospitalized.

Preliminary investigations reveal the victims became infected after butchering sick pigs or sheep. Xinhua also says those affected have developed symptoms like high fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting

China's official news agency Xinhua reports a mysterious disease has killed 17 farmers in southwestern China. 41 more are been hospitalized.

Preliminary investigations reveal the victims became infected after butchering sick pigs or sheep. Xinhua also says those affected have developed symptoms like high fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting

Chinese authorities are denying that a mysterious outreak in Sichuan, which has killed at least 17 people, is SARS or bird flu.

According to state media reports, the killer is likely a bacteria, spread among pigs

At least 17 farmers have died in the last few weeks from a mystery illness that seems to stem from contact with sheep and pigs either living or slaughtered.

"There were three or four possibilities for what the latest outbreak could be, but it would be irresponsible to speculate," says Bob Dietz, a spokesman for the World Health Organization

The health minister for Indonesia says the country will take "firm action" in the fight against the "bird flu", which has recently claimed the lives of humans for the first time in the region.

Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari says, "We and the agriculture ministry will take firm action, including culling