Cambodia reports sixth case of human bird flu of 2013
The Kingdom of Cambodia Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed another case of human avian influenza H5N1, or bird flu, which is the sixth case of the year, according to a MoH/World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Press Release Feb. 8.
The case is a five-year-old girl from Angk Krasang village, Prey Lvea commune, Prey Kabass district in Takeo province who was diagnosed with H5N1 influenza on 7 Feb 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. She developed symptoms on 25 Jan 2013 with fever, cough, and vomiting. She was initially treated by local private practitioners.
Her condition worsened and she was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on 31 Jan 2013. Unfortunately, despite intensive medical care, she died on Thu 7 Feb 2013, according to the press release.
There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in her village and the girl had a history of coming into contact with poultry prior to becoming sick. The girl is the 27th person in Cambodia to become infected with H5N1 virus, and the 6th person this year and the 24th person to die from complications of the disease.
Of all the 27 cases, 18 were children under 14, and 18 of the 27 confirmed cases were females.
According to the WHO, avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild water fowl such as ducks and geese), often causing no apparent signs of illness.
AI viruses can sometimes spread to domestic poultry and cause large-scale outbreaks of serious disease. Some of these AI viruses have also been reported to cross the species barrier and cause disease or subclinical infections in humans and other mammals.
The disease caused by the H5N1 virus follows an unusually aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality.
The primary risk factor for human infection appears to be direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments.
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