EMERGENCY MESSAGES AND PUBLIC
ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Mystery” Disease affecting
kids
According to the Phnom Penh Post some sixty younger
children have died from something that affects the brain and lungs, mainly in
southern provinces. The exact cause has yet to be determined. Very early
evidence suggests that it is not Dengue or pandemic flu. According to the
article, Kantha Bopha hospital’s officials were also concerned about initial
management of these very sick children, which may have contributed to so many
deaths. The Cambodian Ministry of Health, international health organizations,
and Kantha Bopha officials are conducting investigations to try to determine the
cause.
Should I worry? No. The details are still very early. At
this time there does not appear to be spread of this illness within households
and none of the hospital staff who took care of the sick children have become
sick.
What should I do if I have a young child? It is important to
remember that most Western children have excellent immunization coverage. If
your child gets a high fever and cough you should have them seen by a medical
provider as you normally would.
Should I take other precautions?
Simple measures like hand washing and yearly flu vaccination go a long way to
reduce disease spread.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Our Centers for Disease Control and Naval Medical Research Unit experts are
monitoring the situation closely.
We encourage you notify us of your
presence in Cambodia by enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
(STEP).
The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy is
located at #1 Street 96, Phnom Penh, Cambodia and can be reached by calling
023-728-000, or by e-mailing ACSPhnomPenh@State.gov.
http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/acs_di...ting_kids.html
