The first died of the disease in Kien Giang province on January 19.

•  Teenager killed by A/H5N1 virus

The second victim was a 26-year-old woman living in Thanh Tan commune, Thanh Tri district, Soc Trang province. She had cough and fever on January 23 and was brought to the Thanh Tri district hospital. As her condition remained critical, she was later sent to the Bac Lieu provincial general hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia possibly caused by the virus.

The patient died on January 28. Her sample sent to the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute showed that she was positive for the A/H5N1 virus.

According to the epidemiological investigations, the victim had slaughtered and eaten the diseased poultry.

The HCM City Pasteur Institute has sent a team to assist local health workers.

• Many epidemics may break out in Spring
• Hand-foot-mouth cases non-fatal