Bird Flu strikes Vietnam: Health Ministry confirms student's death from H5N1

A 21-year-old student in Vietnam tragically became the first person in the country to die from avian influenza, or bird flu. 

The Ministry of Health confirmed the student, enrolled at Nha Trang University, succumbed to the H5N1 subtype of the virus on March 23rd.

This death has prompted health officials to urge stricter controls to prevent bird flu transmission to humans.

While the investigation found no signs of sick or dead poultry near the student's residence, wild birds were reportedly trapped in the vicinity around the Lunar New Year holiday.

Bird flu outbreaks have been documented in several Vietnamese provinces since January.

The Health Ministry expressed concern that changing weather patterns, brought on by shifting seasons, could create favourable conditions for the virus to spread. 

To address this risk, they have called for heightened surveillance to identify any potential new cases.

According to a statement translated and posted by Avian Flu Diary, an infectious disease news blog, a male patient, 21 years old, resides in Tan Ninh village, Ninh Trung commune, Ninh Hoa town, Khanh Hoa province.

On March 11, 2024, the patient developed symptoms of fever and cough and self-treated, but the symptoms did not improve.

The patient came for examination and treatment at Ninh Hoa Medical Centre on March 16-17, 2024, and then was transferred to Khanh Hoa General Hospital for treatment with a diagnosis of pneumonia.