Bangkok, Oct 10 (EFE) – Cambodian authorities have reported the death of a 2-year-old girl infected with bird flu in Cambodia, bringing the country’s death toll from the disease in 2023 to three.
Investigators confirmed that the minor, a resident of a village in the southeastern Prey Veng province, tested positive for the H5N1 virus, the health ministry said in a statement late Monday.
Suspicions of possible infection began when several dead chickens were found in the house where the little girl lived with her parents.
In addition to the death of the little girl, Svay Rieng province has recently seen the death of a 50-year-old man from bird flu, and the death of an 11-year-old girl in Prey Veng province in February, the first of its kind fatalities. The virus has been recorded in the country since 2014.
As a result of the recent deaths, authorities launched a national protocol to look for the spread of the pathogen in animals and humans.
In its note, the Ministry of Health noted that officials “will continue to search for suspected and affected cases to prevent spread to other members of the community.”
According to official data, at least 50 people have been infected with bird flu in Cambodia since 2005, and 40 of them have died.
The Ministry of Health stressed that “avian influenza continues to threaten people’s health, especially that of children,” and asked citizens to remain cautious and notify authorities if they may become ill.
Avian influenza is a disease that is usually transmitted from birds to humans through direct contact, although rare cases of infection between humans occur, and those infected usually require hospitalization.Effie
NC/RAA