Vietnam health officials are concerned about the combination of virus H5N1 (avian flu) and H1N1 (swine flu) developing into more lethal forms, and a rise in cases of dengue fever and swine flu.

The National Steering Board for Human Flu Prevention announced the news at a meeting on November 4 in Hanoi.

Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, head of the Preventive Health and Environment Department, said the outbreaks of avian flu in some northern provinces have caused a possible risk of combination between the H1N1 and H5N1 virus into lethal forms.

Meantime, Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh, head of the Hanoi-based National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, was concerned about two patients who contracted both swine flu and dengue fever.

He warned people to visit hospital if they experience fever.

Nguyen Tran Hien, director of the Central Institute of Hygiene Epidemiology, announced that the World Health Organization promised to provide Vietnam around 10 million swine flu vaccines. It is expected to receive 1.2 million doses in the middle of December.

The Ministry of Health plans to provide the vaccines to pregnant women, people with chronic diseases and frontline medical workers.