Vietnam announces human H5N1 avian influenza fatality

For the first time since April 2013, Vietnam is reporting a death due to infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, according to a Xinhua report Monday.

According to the report, the patient was a 52-year-old man from southern Binh Phuc province. He presented with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath and was hospitalized on Jan. 11.

H5N1 avian influenza
Image/CDC

After severe lung damage, the patient died on Jan. 18. He was laboratory confirmed positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The last human H5N1 avian flu fatality in Vietnam occurred nine months ago in a four year old boy.

In all of 2013, Vietnam recorded only two human H5N1 avian flu cases.

According to the WHO, the primary risk factor for human infection with the virus appears to be direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments.

Related story: Vietnam government warns against eating tiet canh; H7N9 bird flu detected in goose meat sold in Guangzhou

They go on to say there is no evidence to suggest that the H5N1 virus can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared poultry or eggs. A few human cases have been linked to consumption of dishes made of raw, contaminated poultry blood. However, slaughter, defeathering, handling carcasses of infected poultry, and preparing poultry for consumption, especially in household settings, are likely to be risk factors.

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