BRUSSELS, Oct. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- More than 1,000 people in the Netherlands were infected with the avian flu virus last year during an epidemic in the Dutch poultry industry, a Dutch government agency revealed Wednesday in Amsterdam.

    The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands (RIVM) said the number of infections was higher than previously estimated.

    Earlier research had found that the avian flu virus was more infectious that initially thought, but exact figures had not been confirmed, news agency ANP reported.

    The spread of the virus from human to human also occurred more often than initially suspected, Dutch public news service NOS reported.

    Of the estimated 1,000 people infected, some 453 complained of health problems, according to the RIVM.

    Most complaints were related to conjunctivitis. One veterinarian died as a result of becoming infected with the avian bird flu.

    About half of the 500 people who had direct contact with infected poultry during the epidemic were found to have antibodies in their body against the avian virus, said the research agency.

    The RIVM research, conducted on assignment of the Dutch HealthMinistry, primarily investigated poultry farm owners and family members in the areas affected by the epidemic.

    Researchers also found that infected poultry owners were also found to be suffering from stress, exhaustion and depression.

    The RIVM said the anti-virus drug oseltamivir offered protection against the avian virus, but the same could not be saidfor safety goggles or mouth and nose masks.

    The avian bird flu virus, which ravaged the Dutch poultry industry in February last year, prompted Dutch Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman to order to slaughter over 25 million birds in a preventive cull.

    At that time, people thought there is slight possibility that human being would be affected by avian flu virus.