The Ministry of Health yesterday announced the 21st case of avian influenza in Cambodia this year – an eight-year-old girl from Kampong Thom province’s Baray district.

The victim, the 42nd person confirmed to have contracted the H5N1 virus in the Kingdom, was hospitalised at a private clinic on October 10, after developing a cough along with a fever and vomiting.

The girl’s condition worsened a day later, and she was referred to Jayavarman VII hospital in Siem Reap.

Institut Pasteur du Cambodge confirmed the girl had tested positive for human H5N1 influenza on October 17, was administered Tamiflu on October 14, and is now in stable condition.

The girl had come in direct contact with dead poultry in Pung Ror commune while preparing a meal with chicken.

Minister of Health Mam Bunheng yesterday called for parents to keep children away from sick or dead poultry.