Two A/H1N1 avian influenza cases have been confirmed in the central province of Thanh Hoa, according to a local health official.

The patients were Vu Thi Lan (1988) and her daughter Le Vu Lan Anh (2009) from Quang Tien hamlet, Quang Trung commune, Ngoc Lac district, said Director of the local Preventive Medical Centre Ha Dinh Ngu on March 18.

Lan’s family raised a flock of poultry which were sick and dead over the last two weeks, then slaughtered the living for food.

The patients were hospitalised on March 15 with symptoms including high fever, coughing and respiratory difficulties. They tested positive for the H1N1 virus on March 17.

The province has yet to detect any A/H7N9 bird flu cases.

The A/H5N1 virus earlier found in poultry in Tan Truong commune of Tinh Gia district has been promptly stamped out, said Ngu.

Local authorities are taking all necessary measures such as intensifying around-the-clock inspections, especially at international border gates like Na Meo and Ten Tan in Quan Son and Muong Lat districts respectively, and ensuring medical equipment to contain the spread of the disease.

The bird flu outbreak has struck 24 localities nationwide, according to the latest statistics from the Animal Health Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.-VNA