Cambodia reports 14th case of human H5N1 avian influenza

The Chinese news source, Xinhua reports that a three-year-old boy from Cambodia’s eastern Prey Veng province has been confirmed positive for the avian influenza H5N1, bringing the number of the cases to 14 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and Cambodian Health Ministry said Friday. 

H5N1 Avian Influenza
Image/CDC

The boy is the 14th confirmed case of H5N1 avian influenza in Cambodia this year. He was was admitted to the Kantha Bopha Hospital with fever, dyspnea and cough Monday. At the hospital, he was treated with Tamiflu and is currently in stable condition, the report notes.

Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng said, “Children also seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk because they like to play where poultry are found, he said in the statement. I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry and make sure children wash their hands with soap and water after any contact with poultry.” 

This current case follows the report last week of a  fatal case of human H5N1 avian influenza in a six-year-old girl from Preyleu village, Bantheay Meas commune, Bantheay Meas district in Kampot province.

H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or “bird flu”). Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person. When people do become infected, the mortality rate is about 60%, according to the World Health Organization.

Of the 14 cases reported in Cambodia in 2013 thus far, only five have survived the infection.

Almost all cases of H5N1 infection in people have been associated with close contact with infected live or dead birds, or H5N1-contaminated environments. The virus does not infect humans easily, and spread from person to person appears to be unusual. There is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly prepared and thoroughly cooked food.

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