Student, 21, dies of bird flu strain already in UK and US just days after noticing a new cough

A Vietnamese student who contracted bird flu has passed away days after noticing a new cough.

The 21-year-old is confirmed to have been infected with the highly pathogenic avian flu strain H5N1. The virus - which is best known as "bird flu" - has already been detected in both the UK and the US. While its most widespread targets are birds, it is possible for the illness to be transferred to mammals and humans. People who have been in close contact with the student are being "monitored daily" in case they fall ill.

Vietnam has also recorded its first human case of the less deadly H9 avian flu in a 37-year-old male. Though less severe than H5N1, the man fell unwell on March 6 and had to be hospitalised a week later after developing pneumonia. Last month, Brits were warned to steer well clear of wild birds and to socially distance at least two metres away from them amid fears of a new pandemic.

Government guidelines issued in March by the UK Heath Security Agency, which came into existence during the Covid-19 pandemic, state members of the public should be "minimising contact' with birds in order to prevent catching diseases. The guidelines says people should "keep your distance from wild birds as much as possible – aim to stay at least 2 metres away if you can".

The advice, created with help from the RSPCA and Animal and Plant Health Agency, says people should also steer clear of animal droppings and dead birds. Avian influenza - or bird flu - is a risk to human health because it can infect and cause severe disease in people, although this is uncommon. The subtype G5N1 is an emerging virus that is causing global concern as it's considered a potential pandemic threat.

And in February, a young boy died of bird flu as doctors found his older brother also tested positive for the virus. Also known as avian influenza, it occasionally jumps to humans, especially to those in close contact with poultry and has a frightening death rate which can rise as high as 50 per cent. The young boy, nine, died in the northeastern province of Kratie of Cambodia, according to the country’s health ministry. Four deaths from bird flu were reported in Cambodia last year where many people still prefer to buy live chickens at markets with many backyard farms still common.