HANOI, Feb. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- An addition of eight flu type A infections and suspects were detected between Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon, bringing the total number in Vietnam to 219.

    Of the patients, 36 have died, 43 been discharged from hospitals, and 140 under treatment, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday afternoon.

    It also confirmed 19 cases of flu type A subtype H5N1, including 14 fatalities. The H5N1 infections come from 12 localities, including nine in the north and 10 in the south.

    One H5N1 patient has recovered, and four others from northern Bac Ninh province, central highlands Lam Dong province and Ho Chi Minh City have remained hospitalized, said the ministry.

    While cases of flu type A infections and suspects have kept rising in Vietnam, the number of local cities and provinces being hit by bird flu has remained at 57 in recent days. As of Friday afternoon, the disease infected, killed or led to forced killing of 34.6 million poultry, 600,000 higher than the day before. By late 2003, Vietnam had 254 million fowls.

    On Thursday, the country received the material assistance worth20,000 US dollars from the Danish government. The materials including protective gears and antiseptics will be used to deal with bird flu in four local provinces.

    The World Bank will lend Vietnam 10 million dollars to help thecountry financially assist poultry raisers, Klaus Rohland, the bank 's country director, said on Friday. Now, Vietnam offers at least 5,000 Vietnamese dong (32 US cents) for each fowl being culled. Enditem