21 April 2010 -- The Ministry of Health has reported two new confirmed human cases of A(H5N1) avian influenza infection on 6 and 9 April 2010. These cases were confirmed at the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology.

The first case is a 22 year old male from Nhu Co commune, Bac Kan province. He developed symptoms on the 28 of March 2010 and was transferred to the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in severe condition. Confirmatory test results for influenza A (H5) were obtained on 3 April.

The initial epidemiological investigations show that there were sick/dead poultry at the patient"e;s home and in the surrounding areas.

The second case is a 2 year old girl residing in Cho Moi district, Bac Kan province. She developed symptoms on 2 April 2010. On 4 April, she was transferred to Cho Moi District Hospital for treatment where she is in a stable condition. Confirmatory test results for influenza A (H5) were obtained on 7 April.

The initial epidemiological investigations show that there were sick/dead poultry at the patient"e;s home and in the surrounding areas. The patient"e;s family slaughtered the sick poultry to eat.

There is no epidemiological link between these two cases that would indicate human-to-human transmission.

Of the 119 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 59 have been fatal.