Altogether, Vietnam detected a total of seven cases of bird fluinfections between Dec. 28, 2004 and Jan. 19, 2005. Six patients, all of whom lived in the southern region, died.

    The hospital, on Wednesday, received two suspected cases of bird flu infection: a 27-year-old person and a 35-year-old patient,both from southern Dong Nai province. On the same day, the National Hygiene and Epidemiology Institute announced that samples from a 42-year-old man from Hanoi, who is undergoing treatment at the Tropical Disease Institute in the capital city, were tested positive to bird flu virus H5N1.

    The Ministry of Health has yet officially to confirm the latest case of bird flu. The latest case, also the first case spotted in the northern region this year, is currently in stable condition. His high temperature has already gone, and his damaged lungs have gradually recovered, doctors at the Hanoi-based Tropical Disease Institute said.

    According to local doctors, the patient, who was hospitalized on Jan. 13, has not had any contact with sick fowls, but spent some time looking after his elder brother. His brother, who lived in northern Thai Binh province, died of pneumonia on Jan. 9 after exhibiting symptoms of bird flu. However, samples from the man were tested negative to H5N1.

    The doctors at the Hanoi-based Tropical Disease Institute also noted that they are treating three suspected cases of bird flu. Out of the three suspected cases, two are likely to have contracted H5N1, said the doctors. They, who are from northern PhuTho province and Hanoi, need respiratory assistance.

    Since January, bird flu has hit 179 communes of 21 cities and provinces nationwide, killing and leading to the forced culling ofnearly 331,700 fowls, according to the Department of Animal Health.Latest outbreaks are reported in southern provinces of Binh Duong and Kien Giang, and northern Hai Duong province.