Cambodia reports two more human H5N1 bird flu cases, brings country’s total to 20 for 2013

In what is described as it’s worst outbreak of the dangerous virus since first reported in 2004, Cambodia health officials are reporting two additional confirmed cases of human H5N1 avian influenza in two children, according to a Xinhua report today.

H5N1 avian influenza
Image/CDC

According to the report, the cases include a two-year-old girl from Kampot province, who died yesterday and a five-year-old girl from Takeo province, who is currently hospitalized in stable condition.

“The little girl from Kampot was in very serious condition when she arrived at our hospital and died Wednesday,” said Dr. Denis Laurent, deputy director of Kantha Bopha Children’ s Hospital.

There is no information concerning how the children contracted the virus, which is usually spread through exposure to sick poultry.

These two cases are the 19th and 20th confirmed in the Kingdom in 2013, nine have survived.

To date, the country has recorded 41 human cases of the virus, killing 30 people.

This report comes just days after the infectious disease website, ProMed Mail reported of a suspected case from Cambodia.

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