It received 13 suspected samples for testing from Lang Son and all proved negative for the deadly A/H7N9 avian flu virus strain, the NIHE said.

All the patients have high temperatures and they are suspected of catching measles.

Doctor Doan The My, Director of the Lang Son Provincial Hospital, affirmed that in compliance with Health Ministry guidelines, the hospital has promptly tested all suspected H7N9 cases and, so far, no patients have succumbed to the virus.

Lang Son province has intensified tough measures to combat a possible outbreak of the H7N9 epidemic which is spreading across southern China, primarily in Guangdong province bordering Vietnam.

Quarantine units have been established, and sterilization measures undertaken to strictly monitor immigrants entering Lang Son through border gates and keep a close watch on severe acute respiratory infections in the community.