The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that one new human case of avian influenza has been confirmed for the H5N1 virus. This is the 22nd case this year and the 43rd person to become infected with the H5N1 virus in Cambodia. Of the 43 confirmed cases, 32 were children under 14, and 26 of the 43 were female. In addition, only 11 cases out of the 22 cases this year survived.
The 22nd case, a 6-year-old girl from Romdoul village, O Romdoul commune, Phnom Prek district, Battambang province confirmed positive for human H5N1 human avian influenza on 24th October 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. The girl developed fever on 14th October 2013. On 15th October 2013, her parents sought treatment for her in the village. The girl’s condition worsened and the girl was referred to the Jayavarman VII Hospital in Siem Reap. On 19th October 2013 she was admitted to the Jayavarman VII Hospital with fever, cough, abdominal pain, running nose, sore throat and dyspnea. Laboratory samples were taken on 22nd October and Tamiflu administered on 24th October. The girl is currently in a stable condition.
Investigations in O Romdoul village by the Ministry of Health’s Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery’s Animal Health Task Force revealed that chickens and ducks had recently died in the girl’s neighbours’ houses and also in nearby villages. Human and animal investigations are underway to determine if the girl had direct exposure or handled the sick and dead birds.
The Ministry of Health’s RRTs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery’s Animal Health Task Force are working together closely in O Romdoul village in Battambang to investigate and implement control measures. The RRTs are trying to identify the cases’ close contacts, any epidemiological linkage among the 22 cases and initiate preventive treatment as required. The Animal Health Task Force is investigating cases of deaths among chickens and ducks in the village.
"Avian influenza H5N1 remains a serious threat to the health of all Cambodians and more so for children, who seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk. There have been 22 cases of H5N1 infection in humans this year. Children often care for domestic poultry by feeding them, cleaning pens and gathering eggs. Children may also have closer contact with poultry as they often treat them as pets and also seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk because they like to play where poultry are found. I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry and prevent them from playing with chickens and ducks. Parents and guardians must also make sure children thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water before eating and after any contact with poultry. Hands may carry the virus that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Soap washes away the virus on hands. If children have fast or difficult breathing, their parents should seek medical attention at the nearest health facility and attending physicians must be made aware of any exposure to sick or dead poultry,” said H.E. Dr. Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health.
A nationwide public health education campaign using radio has been launched in early October. Also, public health education campaigns are being conducted in O Romdoul village in Battambang using information, education and communications materials to inform families on how to protect themselves from contracting avian influenza. The government's message is - wash hands often with soap and water, before eating and after coming into contact with poultry; keep children away from poultry; keep poultry away from living areas; do not eat dead or sick poultry; and all poultry eaten should be well cooked.
H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans. Human H5N1 avian influenza is a very serious disease that requires hospitalization. Although the virus currently does not easily spread among humans, if the virus changes it could easily be spread like seasonal influenza. Hence, early recognition of cases is important.
The Ministry of Health will continue to keep the public informed of developments via the MoH website www.cdcmoh.gov.kh where relevant health education materials can also be downloaded.
For more information on human influenza please call the MoH Influenza Hotline numbers: 115 (free call); 012 488 981 or 089 669 567