In the last three weeks the number of bird flu-related deaths has reached six in Vietnam. Thailand is also on high alert.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – On Wednesday, An 18-year-old woman became the sixth victim to succumb to the bird flu in Vietnam since Dec. 30, after eating an infected chicken.

Government officials said that the disease—which is fatal in 70 per cent of the cases—cannot be transmitted by human contact. In the young woman's case, no one else in her family showed any sign of the disease.

Concern is growing in Thailand as well where the virus has so far killed 12 people. The authorities have declared a high alert after acknowledging that it is deadly to humans.

Vietnam has culled about 300,000 birds since December, temporarily banned poultry imports and introduced various restrictions on the transport and sale of fowl throughout the country.

Hans Troedsson, representative of the World Health Organisation in Vietnam, voiced concerns about what might happen during Tet, the lunar New Year. 

Speaking of the holiday that starts February 9, he said: "Since Tet is a time when people are travelling and more poultry is going to the market, more poultry is being slaughtered, and poultry is more consumed and transported, there is a high risk of the spread of the virus and infection."

Chicken is the centerpiece of Vietnamese meals during the New Year's festivities.

"I eat it and I will continue to eat it during Tet," said Nguyen Van Phuong, carrying two live ducks out of Hanoi's largest poultry market. "I'm worried about my life, but I'm reassured all the poultry here is healthy."

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