Cambodia: New cases of bird flu

The brother of a boy who died from bird flu in Cambodia last week has tested positive for the virus, the health ministry said on Monday.

A 9-year-old boy died in the northeastern province of Kratie, the first death from bird flu in Cambodia this year.

This follows four cases reported by the World Health Organization last year.

Avian influenza, which is typically spread among birds, was not considered a threat to humans until an outbreak in a Hong Kong chicken market in 1997. Most human cases are due to direct contact with infected birds, but there are concerns the virus may be spread more directly between humans.

WHO and WFP warn Lunar New Year celebrations in many Asian countries this month may lead to infections.

The Cambodian Ministry of Health said in a statement that the 16-year-old boy tested positive for the virus but had no symptoms. The young man is receiving treatment and authorities are working to determine who he came into contact with and how and where the children contracted the virus.

The health ministry added that the child who died last week had a fever, difficulty breathing, coughing and collapsed after eating food.

His parents cooked with the chickens and ducks they raised.

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MV