Vietnam reports first H5N1 birth flu death
(VOV) - Vietnam’s health officials on January 20 confirmed a first H5N1 avian flu death in the southern province of Binh Phuoc – the first in 2014.
The 52-year-old man, living in Binh Minh commune, Bu Dang district, was hospitalised on January 11, showing flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing and breathing difficulties.
The patient was moved to Binh Phuoc provincial General Hospital six days later, yet his health continued deteriorating quickly.
He was then brought to HCM City Hospital for Tropical Disease on January 18 for emergency treatment, but he died on the same day.
His blood sample tested positive for the deadly virulent strain A/H5N1.
He was said to slaughter and eat duck meat. Epidemiological examinations show a number of chickens raised by the patient’s family and neighbours died of unknown causes.
The Preventive Medicine Department directed the Binh Phuoc provincial Department of Health to conduct epidemiological tests and intensify measures against a possible outbreak of bird flu in the locality.
The HCM City Pasteur Institute was required to fan out to the affected commune to help with prevention.