Vietnam Bird Flu Case

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4296495.stm

 

Last Updated: Friday, 25 February, 2005, 04:06 GMT

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Vietnam reports new bird flu case

 

Vietnam has reported its first case of bird flu to affect a human in

more than three weeks.

 

Doctors say a 21-year-old man was admitted to hospital in Hanoi

suffering from fever, respiratory problems, and liver failure.

 

Thirteen people have died of bird flu in Vietnam since the start of this

year.

 

Vietnam has promised an international conference it will overhaul its

poultry industry to try to stamp out bird flu.

 

The UN-sponsored meeting heard an appeal for extra money from the Food

and Agriculture Organization. Only $18m was given last year, when the

FAO estimated $100m was required.

 

 

H5N1 BIRD FLU VIRUS

Principally an avian disease, first seen in humans in Hong Kong, 1997

Almost all human cases thought to be contracted from birds

Isolated cases of human-to-human transmission in Hong Kong and Vietnam,

but none confirmed

 

Q & A: Bird flu <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3422839.stm>

Survivor's story <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4226459.stm>

Bird flu 'could be contained'

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4112463.stm>

 

" There have been a few donors, but again given the size of the problem

it is just glaringly insufficient, " said the FAO's Samuel Jutzi.

 

The World Health Organization wants animals to be raised separately, and

for birds to be kept in pens so that they cannot mix with wildfowl, who

are believed to be the main carriers of the disease.

 

There is particular concern about ducks, who can carry the disease with

no apparent symptoms.

 

Thailand is to slaughter about 2.7m free-range ducks.

 

Sibling sickness

 

The latest Vietnamese victim, from Thai Binh province in the north of

the country is in a serious state.

 

" His condition is worsening and he is expected to be hooked to a

respirator later today, " said Nguyen Thi Tuong Van of Bach Mai Hospital

in Hanoi.

 

The victim's 14-year-old sister is also in hospital with a high fever,

and is being tested for bird flu.

 

The two had both eaten poultry during Lunar New Year celebrations

earlier this month.

 

Vietnam has seen bird flu outbreaks in 35 of its 64 provinces. A man

died of the disease in Thai Binh in January after drinking raw duck's

blood.

 

--

Dave Neale

UK Director

Animals Asia Foundation

 

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