VietNamNet Bridge - A patient from the Mekong delta province of Hau Giang, who was hospitalised on Aug. 3 and died on Aug. 6 at the Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Hospital , was not infected with bird flu virus strain of H5N1, the Public Heath Ministry officially reported on Aug. 18.

This has been the second suspected H5N1 infection case in Kien Giang and Hau Giang southern provinces since early this month, but both cases have tested negative to H5N1 virus.

However, experts continue to warn the people do be watch out for any possible outbreak of bird flu in humans.

Local health authorities have taken the added precaution of disinfecting the houses of the two suspected patients in the two provinces.

Viet Nam now has two international standard labs capable of effectively dealing with an epidemic. The Public Health Ministry has promoted quarantine checks at border gates, especially the examination of passengers from H5N1 flu infected areas, but no suspected cases have been reported. The ministry has also prepared enough medicine, medical equipment, chemicals and others equipment to face any outbreak of the epidemic.

No new human cases of H5N1 have been reported in Viet Nam for 10 months now.

(Source: VNA)