A poster calling people to protect themselves from H5N1 and avian flu epidemic on human hangs on a street in Ho Chi Minh City

The first patient infected by the H5N1 bird flu strain in the past 17 months, is now able to breathe unassisted, said doctors from Bach Mai hospital, Ha Noi on May 29.

Deputy Hospital Director Dr. Tran Thuy Hanh said the patient is also able to sit up and eat.

The 29-year-old man from the midland province of Vinh Phuc was transported to the Ha Noi-based hospital on May 15, in a critical condition.

He was first diagnosed with acute pneumonia before testing positive with the H5N1 virus, doctors said.