Confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza, a five-year-old girl from Kandal Province is now in critical condition, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation announced.

“The girl was treated with Tamiflu on 10th August and is currently in a critical condition,” a statement released yesterday notes.

The child was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on Friday, and tested positive for H5N1 the next day.

A boy, aged 4, from Battambang province who was also tested positive for H5N1 and was last week admitted to the Jayavarman V11 Hospital in Siem Reap, remains stable.

The two mark the 15th and 16th human cases of H5N1 influenza in Cambodia this year.

Rapid response teams have been deployed in Battambang and Kandal, Ministry of Health official Dr Sok Touch said yesterday.