Health

Vietnam reports one avian flu death and warns of potential spread to humans

A 21-year-old student in Vietnam has tragically become the first person in the country to die from avian flu, according to reports. The student, who was studying at Nha Trang University, succumbed to an H5N1 subtype of influenza virus infection, as confirmed by Vietnam’s Department of Preventive Medicine.

The health ministry has stressed the importance of ramping up efforts to control avian influenza to prevent further transmission to humans. An epidemiologic investigation found no evidence of sick or dead poultry near the student’s home, but wild birds were found trapped in the vicinity before and after the Lunar New Year holiday. The man passed away from the infection on March 23, according to officials.

Since January, several provinces and cities in Vietnam, including Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Khanh Hoa, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An, and Tien Giang, have reported bird flu outbreaks. The ministry has pointed out that the changing seasons and weather conditions may create favorable conditions for virus development, underscoring the need for increased surveillance to detect new cases.

Amid this concerning development, the health ministry has urged health officials to enhance surveillance measures to promptly identify and respond to any new cases that may arise. The tragic death of the student serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by avian flu and the importance of proactive measures to prevent its spread within the community.

IANS

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