An Indonesian doctor who had treated a bird flu patient was hospitalized for developing bird flu symptoms in the West Java capital of Bandung, raising worries of human-to-human transfer of the deadly virus, local press said Friday.

The 29-year-old doctor with the Bandung"e;s Hasan Sadikin Hospital has been isolated at the intensive care unit for bird flu patients since Thursday, and he had a history of contact with a bird flu patient who died last week at the same hospital, reported leading news website Detikcom.

His blood sample is now being examined at the Health Ministry"e;s laboratory in Jakarta for confirmation.

Hasan Sadikin Hospital director Cissy Prawira said the hospital applies strict safety procedures in handling bird flu patients and requires all medical staff to wear protections like eyeglasses, masks and gloves.

"Up to now human-to-human transmission (of bird flu) remains a controversy due to the absence of proof," he was quoted as saying.

The hospital is now treating two other bird flu patients, including two children.

Source: Xinhua