9 September 2004

Thailand´s Ministry of Health reported today one recent human death caused by avian influenza A (H5N1). The case was an 18-year-old male, who had been exposed to sick chickens. He was from Prachinburi Province in eastern Thailand, a region which earlier this year experienced confirmed H5N1 outbreaks in poultry. He was admitted to hospital on 5 September and died from acute respiratory distress on 8 September. The Ministry of Health informed WHO of the death earlier today.

Specimens were tested by the National Institute of Health, Thailand and were found to be positive for influenza A (H5N1) by PCR. Experts from the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Health are currently in the field investigating the source of infection.