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Avian influenza - situation in Viet Nam

30 December 2004

WHO has received informal reports of a laboratory-confirmed case of H5N1
infection in Viet Nam.

The patient, who has been hospitalized since 26 December, is a 16-year-old
girl who fell ill in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Vietnamese authorities are investigating the source of her infection,
including the possibility of contact with infected poultry.

This is the first human case of H5N1 detected in Viet Nam since early
September. It coincides with several fresh poultry outbreaks reported in
southern provinces in December. Recent poultry outbreaks in Tay Ninh
Province have not been reported.

As avian influenza viruses become more active at cooler temperatures,
further poultry outbreaks, possibly accompanied by sporadic human cases, can
be anticipated.

Poultry marketing, transportation, and consumption increase in Viet Nam with
the approach of the Lunar New Year in early February. These activities
create conditions favouring the spread of poultry outbreaks and call for
heightened control measures.

Since January of this year, 28 human cases have been detected in Viet Nam.
Of these, 20 were fatal. Thailand has also reported human cases, bringing
the total in Asia since the beginning of this year to 45 cases, of which 32
have been fatal.

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