Sixth New Human Case of Avian Influenza H5N1 in Cambodia in 2013

Joint Press Release from the Ministry Of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) Phnom Penh, 8 February 2013          The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that one new more case of avian influenza has been confirmed positive for the H5N1 virus. The sixth case is a 5-year-old girl from Angk Krasang village, Prey Lvea commune, Prey Kabass district in Takeo province. She was diagnosed with H5N1 influenza on 7 February 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. She developed symptoms on 25 January 2013 with fever, cough and vomiting. She was initially treated by local private practitioners.  Her condition worsened and she was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on 31 February with fever, cough and dyspnoea. Unfortunately, despite intensive medical care, she died on 7 February. There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in the village and the girl had a history of coming into contact with poultry prior to becoming sick. The girl is the 27th person in Cambodia to be infected with the H5N1 virus, the sixth person this year and the 24th person to die from complications of the disease. Of all the 27 cases, 18 were children under 14, and 18 of the 27 confirmed cases occurred in females.  "Avian influenza H5N1 is still a threat to the health of Cambodians.  This is the sixth case of H5N1 infection in humans early this year, and children still seem to be most vulnerable.  I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry, discourage them from playing in areas where poultry stay and wash their hands often.  If they have fast or difficult breathing, they should be brought to medical attention at the nearest health facilities and attending physicians be made aware of any exposure to sick or dead poultry," said HE Dr. Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health. The Ministry of Health's Rapid Response Teams (RRT) 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 influenza. The Government's message is: wash hands often; keep children away from poultry; keep poultry away from living areas; do not eat sick poultry; and all poultry eaten should be well cooked. H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans.  Human H5N1 Avian Influenza is a very serious disease that requires hospitalization.  Although the virus currently does not easily spread among humans, if the virus changes it could easily be spread like seasonal influenza.  Hence, early recognition of cases is important. Globally since 2003, there have been 616 laboratory confirmed cases of avian influenza with 365 related deaths. The Ministry of Health will continue to keep the public informed of developments via the MoH website www.cdcmoh.gov.kh where relevant health education materials can also be downloaded. For more information on human influenza please call the MoH Influenza Hotline numbers: 115 (free call); 012 488 981 or 089 669 567 More information in English and Khmer available at link below. Attachments: Press Release 8 February 2013 - English [0.8MB] Press Release 8 February 2013 - Khmer [1.3MB]