H5N1 patient’s sister dies

H5N1 patient’s sister dies

11:52' 08/01/2009 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – The 13-year-old sister of an 8-year-old child infected with the type A/H5N1 virus, was reported to have died with flu symptoms. Bui Thi Thao, 13, from Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district of the central province of Thanh Hoa, was infected with the A/H5N1 flu on January 3. On January 2, Thao’s elder sister died with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and respiratory problems, confirmed Thao’s father, Bui Van Hop. The family fed on dead ducks several days before. Dr. Le Trong Dung from the Thanh Hoa General Hospital said the little girl is recovering. The Vice Chairman of Ba Thuoc District, where the type A/H5N1 patient is currently, Lo Van Len said the local government culled 9,000 sick poultries in six villages of Dien Trung commune. They also set up quarantine stations to control the transportation of fowls in and out the area while vaccinating poultries. The Chief of the Health Ministry’s Preventive Health Agency, Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, said five Vietnamese died of type A/H5N1 flu in 2008. He said it is unable to define whether Thao’s sister died of type A/H5N1 flu or not because this case was not tested.