The Ministry of Health on Jan. 29 confirmed one more death from A/H1N1 influenza, bringing the number of fatalities in the country to 57.

The latest victim, 31, lived in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh. He was diagnosed with HIV in March of 2003 and had received antiviral medication since April 2009.

He was admitted to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases on Jan. 22 with a high fever and breathing difficulties and was put in isolation for treatment after testing positive for the potentially lethal A/H1N1 virus.

The patient died on Jan. 24.

The ministry said the World Health Organisation has circulated a media release which clearly states that the world is undergoing a genuine pandemic and it is untrue and irresponsible to call that description false.