4 March 2010 -- The Ministry of Health has reported three new confirmed cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, including one fatality. Two cases have been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) and one case has been confirmed at the Pasteur Institute, Ho Chi Minh City.

The first case is a 3 year-old female residing in Ninh Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province. She developed symptoms on 27 January 2010, and was hospitalized at Ninh Hoa district hospital on 28 January. She is recovering well. The source of exposure is currently under investigation. Her family raises chickens but did not report any mass poultry illness or death. However, Ninh Hoa District and Van Ninh District are currently being monitored because of recent H5N1 poultry outbreaks.

The second case was a 38 year-old female residing in Cai Be District, Tien Giang Province. She developed symptoms on 13 February 2010. The patient was admitted to the Sa Dec Hospital in Dong Thap Province on 21 February where she died on 23 February. An epidemiological investigation showed that the patient had slaughtered and processed sick water fowl.

The third case is a 17 year-old female residing in Son Duong District, Tuyen Quang Province. She developed symptoms on 19 February 2010 and was taken to the Son Duong District General Hospital on 24 February where she is currently being treated for mild breathing difficulties. Approximately, 10 days ago, there were unexplained deaths of chicken in the patient"e;s household. She participated in the disposal of the dead poultry.

Of the 115 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 58 have been fatal.