He fell ill with a high fever, coughing fits and breathing problems on November 18 after taking in duck blood pudding and was admitted to the provincial Hospital one week later.

This was the first fatality due to the deadly avian influenza in Dien Bien since the province announced the epidemic breaking out in Noong Luong and Thanh Yen communes on October 21.

So far this year, Vietnam has recorded 5 cases of A/H5N1 and all of them have died.

The Ministry of Heath has urged people to contact the local authorities when they find diseased cattle. The transportation of cattle of unknown origin through the infected areas is prohibited.