Cambodia Health Ministry reports two more human H5N1 cases, brings total to 26 this year
The Cambodian Ministry of Heath (MOH) reported today the confirmation of two additional of human H5N1 avian influenza cases, the 25th and 26th cases of 2013, according to a Joint Press Release from the MOH and the World Health Organization (WHO) dated Nov. 14.
According to the release:
The 25″case, a 3-year-old boy from Veal Vong village, Sendey commune, Samrong Tang district, Kampong Speu province, was confirmed positive for H5N1 human avian influenza on 9 November 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. The boy had onset fever on 5 November 2013, his parents sought treatment at a local private practitioner on 6 November, but his condition worsened. The boy was admitted to KanthaBopha Hospital, Phnom Penh, on 8 November 2013 with fever, cough, and dyspnea. Laboratory samples were taken on 8 November and Tamiflu administered the same day.
The 26′ case, a 29-year-old male from Kaun Demrei village, Steung Trang commune, Salakrao district, Pailin province, was confirmed positive for H5N1 human avian influenza by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge on 9 November 2013. The man had onset fever, chills and headache on 26 October 2013 where he sought treatment at the local health centre. Treatment was provided to the case at a private clinic on 1 November until his condition continued to deteriorate. On 3 November the case was admitted to Battambang Provincial hospital with fever, chills, headache, cough, chest pain. Laboratory samples were taken and Tamiflu was administered on 6 November. He continued to deteriorate with further symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures; he died at the hospital on the 6 November.
Both patients had direct contact with sick or dead poultry prior to their illnesses.
The Health Ministry’s message to people and families is “Wash hands often with soap and water, before eating and after coming into contact with poultry;keep children away from poultry; keep poultry away from living areas; do not eat dead or poultry; and all poultry eaten should be well cooked.”
The above are the 46th and 47th H5N1 bird flu cases reported in Cambodia since first recognized in 2004. In 2013, of the 26 cases reported to date, 13 have died, or a 50% fatality rate.
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H5N1 avian influenza
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