Cambodia's Latest Bird Flu Fatality
A three-year old girl died of Avian influenza, the fifth confirmed case in Cambodia
The Cambodian Ministry of Health has confirmed the country's fifth case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. A 3-year old girl from Korng Pisei town, Kampong speu province developed a fever on March 14. Her condition deteriorated on March 20 and was transported to Kantha Bopha children's hospital in Phnom Penh. She died on March 21. Tests performed at the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh revealed that the girl had the deadly H5N1 virus. The Cambodian health officials have taken blood samples from seven other people who have fever. The test results are expected next week. These patients are being closely monitored. The girl who died had reportedly played with chicken that looked sick. The Ministry of Health is educating people on prevention measures, and 42 residents who are believed to be in close contacts of chickens will be tested to see whether or not they test positive. As for the rest of the chicken in the village, the health authorities are monitoring and waiting for the test result before deciding whether to cull them or not. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO), are working together in the latest bird flu case.