Bird flu alert as boy dies

The death of a 12-year-old boy from bird flu has put a damper on Vietnam’s plans to declare itself free of the disease by the end of this month and raised fears about a possible resurgence of the virus.

Tests at the weekend showed the boy from southern Tay Ninh province who died on March 15 was infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu. It was the first human case reported in Vietnam since February 18.