Cambodia Records First Death from H5N1 Bird Flu This Year
Phnom Penh, February 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) - The Ministry of Health in Cambodia has reported the unfortunate death of a nine-year-old boy from Kratie province due to H5N1 avian influenza, marking the first fatality from the virus in the country this year.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry disclosed that laboratory tests conducted at the National Institute of Public Health confirmed the presence of H5N1 bird flu in the boy.
Despite receiving intensive medical care, the boy passed away on Thursday. He exhibited symptoms such as fever, rapid breathing, cough, and coma, according to the Ministry's report. Investigations revealed that five chickens and three ducks at the boy's residence had died, and the deceased poultry were consumed as food.
Health authorities are actively investigating the source of the infection and identifying individuals who may have been exposed to the victim to prevent a potential community outbreak. Additionally, Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, has been administered to individuals who had direct contact with the boy to mitigate the spread of bird flu.
H5N1 influenza primarily spreads among sick poultry but can occasionally transmit from poultry to humans, resulting in severe respiratory illness. The Ministry emphasized the continued threat posed by bird flu to public health, particularly among children, urging people to refrain from consuming sick or dead poultry.
Since 2003, Cambodia has recorded a total of 65 human cases of H5N1 influenza, resulting in 42 fatalities, according to data provided by the Ministry.