Six Human Cases of H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed in Cambodia

A three-year-old boy in southern Cambodia's Takeo province has been confirmed to have contracted the H5N1 human avian influenza, the sixth case reported this year. The boy, who lives in Kiri Vong district's Pou village, was hospitalized with symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, and breathing difficulty, but is now recovering after receiving intensive care. Health authorities are investigating the source of the infection and examining suspected cases to prevent an outbreak. Notably, all six cases of H5N1 bird flu reported this year, including the boy's, had a history of recent exposure to sick or dead poultry prior to their illness.

Key Takeaways:

• The three-year-old boy from Takeo province has been confirmed to have contracted H5N1 human avian influenza, bringing the total number of cases to six this year.
• The boy, who was hospitalized, is recovering after receiving intensive care for symptoms including fever, cough, fatigue, and breathing difficulty.
• Health authorities are investigating the source of the infection and examining suspected cases to prevent an outbreak.
• All six cases reported this year had a history of recent exposure to sick or dead poultry prior to their illness.
• Previously, among the six cases, five were children, one of whom had died, and an adult had also been infected.
• The H5N1 influenza, which usually spreads between sick poultry, can also transmit from poultry to humans.
• The Ministry of Health has urged people not to eat ill or dead poultry to prevent the spread of bird flu, particularly among children.
• From 2003 to date, there have been 68 cases of human infection with H5N1 influenza in Cambodia, including 42 deaths.

Statistics:

• 6 human cases of H5N1 bird flu confirmed in Cambodia this year
• 68 cases of human infection with H5N1 influenza reported in Cambodia from 2003 to date
• 42 deaths from H5N1 influenza in Cambodia from 2003 to date
• 5 children out of 6 cases reported this year had contracted H5N1
• 1 adult out of 6 cases reported this year had contracted H5N1
• 10 days prior to falling ill, the boy had touched and held dead chickens

Sources:

• Ministry of Health, cited on Xinhua