There were two positive results for H5N1 in humans reported in Thailand today. The first one is a 61-year-old woman from the Lop Buri province. She has initially tested positive and this has been confirmed by local officials. A source in Thailand mentioned in an email tonight, that another person (demographics were not released) in Chachoengsao province has tested positive for H5N1. This source believes that the individual in Chachoengsao has a better chance of retesting positive for H5N1 than the 61-year-old woman. The catch is that the patient in Chachoengsao has no history of contact with poultry. The results of secondary testing on both patients are expected tomorrow.

The situation in Indonesia is rapidly deteriorating. Indonesia sent three Ministers (Health, Agriculture and Welfare) to the Karo district of North Sumatra today to assess the situation. They were meet by angry villagers who tried to rip their protective gear off. The army was eventually called in to restore order. The villagers do not want their birds to be culled. It has also become clear that the seven individuals represent two different clusters.

Vietnam is getting worried about a resurgence of H5N1. Thailand up until a few weeks ago had one of the best surveillance systems in place for detecting H5N1. Vietnam is realizing that they have not been able to prevent a massive population boom in ducks (they do not show symptoms when infected by H5N1) and that H5N1 will probably resurface in the next few weeks.