Cambodia reports 17th human case of H5N1 flu this year

[tetano]

A six-year-old boy from Cambodia's southern Kandal Province has been confirmed for the H5N1 virus, bringing the number of the cases to 17 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and Cambodian Health Ministry said Wednesday.

The boy was confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza on Aug. 17 after he caught fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, cough and lethargy, the statement said, adding that the boy came into contact with sick poultry.

"The boy has now recovered," it said.

Only 7 out of the 17 cases this year survived, the statement said.

The latest death from the virus was a 9-year-old boy from northwestern Battambang Province, who died on Sunday.

Avian influenza H5N1 remained a serious threat to the health of all Cambodians, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said.

"Children also seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk because they like to play where poultry are found," he said in the statement.

"I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry and make sure children wash their hands with soap and water after any contact with poultry."

Cambodia sees the worst outbreak of the virus this year since the disease was first identified in 2004. To date, the country has recorded 38 human cases of the virus, killing 29 people.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/805500.shtml#.UhS9Tn_-RrY

[Biological]

Re: Cambodia reports 17th human case of H5N1 flu this year

H/T crofsblogs

Clip:
August 21, 2013
Cambodia: Details on the new H5N1 case

Sonny Krishnan, WHO's communications head in Cambodia, has sent out a copy of the joint news release mentioned here earlier today, attached to an email explaining that the Xinhua report is "abridged and misleading." Until the full release appears on the Ministry and WHO WPRO websites, here's the key passage:


The 17th case, a 6-year-old boy from Prey Tathuk Village, Prek Sleng commune, Kandal Stung district in Kandal province confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza on 17th August 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. The boy developed fever on 21st July and his parents tried to treat him with medicine purchased from a drug store in the village.

His condition worsened and he was brought to the Beung Khyang Health Centre on 22nd July with fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, cough and lethargy. On 23rd July, the boy was enrolled in an Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance (FSS) study, in Kandal, and samples were collected from him.

Initial testing in the surveillance study indicated a possible H5N1 infection. On 16th August, the boy?s samples were sent in a batch to Institut Pasteur du Cambodge for testing of H5N1. The boy has now recovered. The boy came into contact with sick poultry.

H5N1: Cambodia: Details on the new H5N1 case

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2013/08/cambodia-details-on-the-new-h5n1-case.html

[Giuseppe]

Re: Cambodia reports 17th human case of H5N1 flu this year

[Source: World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific, full page: (LINK).]


Seventeenth case of avian influenza H5N1 in Cambodia in 2013

Joint news release between the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the World Health Organization

Improper transport of poultry risks the spread of the H5N1 virus.

22 August 2013


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 17th case this year and the 38th person to become infected with the H5N1 virus in Cambodia. Of the 38 confirmed, 27 were children under 14, and 22 of the 38 were female. In addition, only 7 cases out of the 17 cases this year survived.

The 17th case, a 6-year-old boy from Prey Tathuk Village, Prek Sleng commune, Kandal Stung district in Kandal province confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza on 17th August 2013 by Instiut Pasteur du Cambodge. The boy developed fever on 21st July and his parents tried to treat him with medicine purchased from a drug store in the village. His condition worsened and he was brought to the Beung Khyang Health Centre on 22nd July with fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, cough and lethargy. On 23rd July, the boy was enrolled in an Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance (FSS) study, in Kandal, and samples were collected from him. Initial testing in the surveillance study indicated a possible H5N1 infection. On 16th August, the boy?s samples were sent in a batch to Instiut Pasteur du Cambodge for testing of H5N1. The boy has now recovered. The boy came into contact with sick poultry.

"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. This is the 17th case of H5N1 infection in humans this year. Parents and guardians must take special care to make sure their children are not playing with poultry, or in any areas that may be contaminated with poultry faeces, or feathers or liquid wastes. Parents and guardians must also make sure children wash their hands with soap and water after any contact with poultry. If they have fast or difficult breathing, they 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.

The Ministry of Health's Rapid Response Teams (RRT) are currently in Prey Tathuk Village in Kandal to identify the boy?s close contacts, any epidemiological linkage among the 17 cases and initiate preventive treatment as required. In addition, a public health education campaign is being conducted in the village 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; 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

You may also contact: Ministry of Health Dr Sok Touch: Tel +855 12 856 848 Dr Ly Sovann: Tel +855 12 825 424 - World Health Organization Dr Pieter JM van Maaren: Tel +855 23 216 610 Dr ReikoTsuyuoka: Tel +855 23 216 610


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