Girl becomes Cambodia’s fifth avian flu victim in 2013

Last Updated on 08 February 2013 By Paola Barisani

A 5-year-old girl from Angk Krasang village, in the Prey Kabass district of Takeo province has died this morning after being confirmed positive for the H5N1 virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

The girl is the 5th avian flu victim in Cambodia since the beginning of the year.

According to the WHO, she developed symptoms on January 25, with fever, cough, and vomiting.

She was initially treated by local private practitioners, but her condition worsened and she was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on January 31 where she died despite intense medical care.

There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in the girl's village, and the girl had a history of coming into contact with poultry prior to becoming sick.

"This is the sixth case of H5N1 infection in human in early this year, and children still seem to be most vulnerable," Minister of Health Mam Bunheng said.

The Ministry of Health's Rapid Response Teams have gone to the hospital and the field to identify the girl’s close contacts, any epidemiological linkage among the six cases and initiate preventive treatment as required.

In addition, a public health education campaign is being conducted in the village to inform families on how to protect themselves from contracting avian flu.
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