The 38-year-old patient came from An Thai Trung commune, Cai Be district, the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang. She was diagnosed with the disease on February 13 and was sent to Sa Dec hospital in Dong Thap province on February 21. She died two days later.

The patient was confirmed to be carrying the H5N1 virus by the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City on February 23.

The Preventive Healthcare and Environment Department has advised people to inform local authorities immediately when their poultry fall ill and not to slaughter them without instructions from the functional agencies.

People have also been instructed not to slaughter, transport or sell poultry from infected areas. Individuals are advised to go to hospital for a medical examination whenever they have breathing difficulties or notice any symptoms of influenza.