16 August 2004: Three Human Cases of Avian Influenza in Viet Nam

Following a report by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health on 12 August 2004 , the World Health Organization has confirmed that three persons have died from avian influenza infection. Initial tests indicate that the viruses are of the H5 subtype with one patient testing positive for the H5N1 avian influenza strain which was the cause of 23 human deaths in Viet Nam and Thailand earlier this year.

Two of the patients, an 11 month old girl and a 4 year old boy, were from the northern Viet Nam province of Ha Tay , and the third, a 25 year old woman, was from the southern province of Hau Giang . These persons were part of a group of patients admitted to hospital between 19 July and 8 August 2004 who are under investigation for possible avian influenza.

During January to March 2004, widespread outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza among poultry occurred in , China , Indonesia , Japan , Laos , South Korea and Thailand , with human cases occurring in Thailand and Viet Nam . Renewed outbreaks in poultry were reported in July 2004 in China , Indonesia , Viet Nam and Thailand .

There are no travel restrictions but those going to China and south-east Asia are reminded of precautions recommended in previous postings:

• 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.

Further information is available from:

World Health Organization: www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/

Health Protection Agency: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&
HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1160495617087

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm

World Organization for Animal Health: www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm