HANOI, March 23 (Xinhuanet) -- A middle-aged man from Vietnam's central Quang Binh province has been hospitalized for being suspected of contracting bird flu virus strain H5N1, according to local newspaper Youth on Wednesday.

    The 41-year-old man named Hoang Van Thu from Chau Hoa commune, Tuyen Hoa district, was admitted to a hospital in Hue central cityon Monday after having high temperature for a week.

    Now, up to 195 residents of the commune have a common flu. Birdflu outbreaks were spotted in the area in early February.

    Last week, a 5-year-old child from the commune was confirmed tocontract H5N1. He is now recovering after being treated in the hospital since March 15.

    Recent local media reports said his 13-year-old sister, who died on March 9, was also infected with H5N1. However, Vietnam's Health Ministry has not confirmed the case.

    Since mid-December 2004, a total of 26 local people have been reported to contract H5N1, of whom 14 have died. Enditem