Since 2003, 74 cases of influenza A (H5N1) have been reported in Cambodia. They resulted in 45 deaths. Supplied
The Ministry of Health has announced the death of a toddler from bird flu (H5N1), confirmed by the National Institute of Public Health on February 25.
The two-year-seven-month-old boy, who lived in Tangok village, in Preah Sdach district‘s Romchek commune, was in critical condition with a fever, cough, shortness of breath and severe breathing difficulties when his parents brought him to hospital.
“Inquiries revealed that the patient’s family owned a chicken farm, with about 15 chickens dead and some sick,” said the ministry.
“The child had been sleeping and playing under the house near the chicken coop,” it added.
The emergency response teams of the national and sub-national health authorities are collaborating with provincial and local agricultural departments and local authorities at all levels to investigate the outbreak of bird flu.
They are continuing to search for sources of infection, both in animals and humans.
“The team continues to search for suspected cases and those who may have had contact with them to prevent further transmission to others in the community. We are distributing Tamiflu to close contacts, and conducting health education campaigns in the villages near where the incident occurred,” said the ministry.
It reminded the public of the need to remain vigilant about possible bird flu cases, as H5N1 continues to threaten public health.
If anyone with a fever, cough, runny nose or breathing difficulties has a history of contact with sick or dead poultry in the two weeks before the onset of symptoms, they should isolate themselves and seek treatment immediately. Delaying treatment could result in death, warned the ministry.
H5N1 bird flu is generally transmitted between birds, but can infect humans who have close contact with sick or dead poultry. It is a serious disease which requires prompt hospital treatment.
Although it is not easily transmitted from person to person, if it mutates, it could be transmitted like seasonal flu.
Since 2003, 74 cases of influenza A (H5N1), including 45 deaths, have been reported in Cambodia.
The most recent case prior to the Prey Veng case occurred in Kampong Cham province, and resulted in the death of a 28-year-old man.
According to the WHO, from 2003 to August 20, 2024, a total of 903 cases in 24 countries were reported worldwide.
Almost all cases of infection were linked to close contact with birds or mammals that have died or are infected with H5N1, or contaminated environments.
For more information, the public should contact the health ministry at their toll-free 115 hotline.
