The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has reported a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).

The case is an 8-year old girl from Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province. She developed symptoms on 27 December 2008 and was hospitalized on 2 January 2009. She is currently in a stable condition. The case is known to have had recent contact with sick and dead poultry prior to the onset of her illness.

Further investigations are currently underway. Control measures have been implemented and close contacts are being identified and monitored.

Of the 107 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 52 have been fatal.