Avian influenza – situation in Viet Nam - update 14

4 April 2005

The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has confirmed five additional cases of human infection with the H5 subtype of avian influenza virus ( see previous report). All five cases are in a family from the northern port city of Haiphong. The cluster includes the 35-year-old father, the 33-year-old mother, and their three daughters, aged 13 years, 10 years, and 4 months.

All cases in this family were hospitalized on 22 March and remain under care.

Since mid-December 2004, Viet Nam has reported 33 cases of H5N1 avian influenza. Of these cases, 15 have been fatal.