13 January 2005: Avian Influenza Update - Human Cases in Viet Nam

The World Health Organization has today reported the fourth confirmed human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Viet Nam since December 2004. The patient is an 18 year old woman from the southern province of Tien Giang who is currently in a critical condition in hospital. The three other patients who all lived in southern Vietnamese provinces have died.

Since January, 2004, there have been a total of 31 cases of human avian influenza in Viet Nam, 23 of which have been fatal.

These recent cases in Viet Nam reflect the ongoing problem of avian influenza in poultry and the small risk of transmission to humans who are in close contact with infected poultry.

Viet Nam has not been directly affected by the recent tsunamis; as a result travellers intending to visit South East Asia may change their itineraries to include Viet Nam. Although the risk to travellers is small, those intending to do this should adhere to the following precautions:

• Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms
• Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal faeces
• Do not attempt to bring any live poultry products back to the UK

Travellers who return from affected areas and have respiratory symptoms should seek prompt medical attention, and inform their physician of their travel history.