Cambodia reports 5 human cases of bird flu (H5N1) in 2024 - January 26, 2024 +

[sharon sanders]

H5N1 avian flu case list updated:

FluTrackers 2016+ Global H5N1 Human Cases List

[Pathfinder]

Map of Cambodia highlighting Tboung Khmum
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tboung_Khmum_province

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Translation Google

After The Bird Flu Outbreak, Professional Officers Sprayed Pesticides On Farms In Tbong Khmum Province

Posted on February 14, 2024

Tbong Khmum Province: Veterinarians instructed the people and sprayed bird flu on the chicken farms of the villagers in Ou Raing Ov and Tbong Khmum districts in Tbong Khmum province on the morning of 12 and 13 February. : 2024. On February 13th, he led the staff of pesticides in Preah Theat commune in 4 villages bordering Koh Sotin district, Kampong Cham province, including: first, Tuol Khleang village, second, Boeung Kang village, third, Tuol Pnov village and fourth Trapeang Kong village. He added that in those villages, the authorities sprayed the backs of 11 houses where he raised chickens and ducks, and distributed pesticides to bird flu in two villages to 15 families. Please be informed that in relation to the recurrence of H5N1 bird flu (H5N1), the Ministry of Health has also reminded people to be constantly vigilant. If you have a fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath and have a history of contact with sick or dead chickens during the 14 days before the onset of symptoms, citizens should not go to gatherings or crowded towns. Seek consultation and treatment at the nearest health center as soon as possible. It should be reminded that on the afternoon of February 9, 2024, the Ministry of Health announced that a 9-year-old boy in Kratie province. Died of bird flu after the boy ate dead chickens and ducks. On February 12, the Ministry of Health issued a press release regarding the discovery of bird flu. 5 in 1 (H5N1) on another 16-year-old boy living in Kapo 1 village, Or Russey commune, Kratie city, Kratie province, after receiving certification from the National Institute of Public Health. Edited by Teang Bonry

https://www.tnmtvonline.com/detail/39426

[Michael Coston]

Cambodia MOH Reports 5th H5N1 Case of 2024




#17,919

Nine days after reporting their 4th H5N1 case of 2024 - a mild case in the 16-y.o. brother of the fatal 3rd case (a 9-y.o. boy, both from Kratie province), we learn of a 5th case; this time in a 17-y.o. girl who appears to be in stable improving condition from Kampot province.

Over the past 4 weeks we've seen 5 new human H5N1 infections reported out of Cambodia (see also here, and here) - which when added to 6 cases reported in 2023 - make 11 cases in the past 12 months after an absence of reports during the previous years.

All of these cases have been due to the older 2.3.2.1c clade of H5N1, which predates the emergence of clade 2.3.4.4, which began spreading in earnest in early 2014 in South Korean poultry. Exactly what is behind its resurgence after nearly a decade isn't clear.

The Cambodian statement and translation on today's case follows, after which I'll have a bit more.






Translation:

Kingdom of Cambodia, Nation, Religion, King
Ministry of Health
On

Press Release on Avian Influenza in 17-Year-Old Girl

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia would like to inform the public that there is another case of bird flu in a 17-year-old girl and was confirmed positive for H5N1 bird flu virus (H5N1) from the National Institute. Public health on February 20, 2024, residing in Damnak Trop Khang Tbong village, Kraing Svay commune, Chhuk district, Kampot province.

The girl had a fever, cough, tiredness, and difficulty breathing. At present, the patient's condition has improved and he is receiving intensive care by doctors. According to the survey, about 5 days before the onset of illness at home, the patient had seven dead chickens.

The National and Sub-National Emergency Response Team of the Ministry of Health has been cooperating with the working groups of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment, local authorities at all levels to actively investigate the outbreak of bird flu and respond. In accordance with the methods and technical protocols, continue to search for sources of transmission in both animals and humans, and continue to search for suspected and affected cases to prevent transmission to others in the community, and distribute Tamiflu to close contacts. And conduct health education campaigns for the people in the above-mentioned villages.

The Ministry of Health would like to remind all citizens to be careful about bird flu because H5N1 bird flu continues to threaten the health of our people and also would like to inform you if there are symptoms. Fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath and a history of contact with sick or dead chickens during the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms, do not visit crowded places and seek consultation and examination. Get treatment at the nearest health facility as soon as possible.

Transmission: The H5N1 bird flu virus is a flu virus that is usually transmitted from sick birds to other birds, but can sometimes be transmitted from birds to humans through close contact with birds.

Who is sick or dead. Avian influenza in humans is a serious disease that requires timely hospitalization. Although it is not easily transmitted from person to person, if it can metabolize it can be as contagious as the seasonal flu.
Preventive measures: Government educational messages include: Wash hands frequently with soap and water before eating and after contact with birds, keep children away from birds and keep birds away from living, do not eat birds. Sick or dead and all birds made for eating must be well cooked.

The Ministry of Health will continue to inform the public about information related to public health issues through the Telegram Channel and the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Health, as well as the official Facebook page of the Department of Infectious Diseases and the website www.cdcmoh.gov.kh, which has Health education materials that can be downloaded, viewed and used. For more information, please contact the Ministry of Health Hotline 115 toll-free.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Phnom Penh

Prior to the emergence of (the now ubiquitous) clade 2.3.4.4 in 2014, clade 2.3.2.1c managed to successfully wing its way from Asia to West Africa (see 2016's EID Journal: HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.2.1c In West Africa), meaning it could conceivably spread to nations outside of Cambodia.


The good news is, we haven't seen any evidence of sustained or efficient human-to-human transmission of H5N1, but this recent uptick in clade 2.3.2.1c infections warrants our attention.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2024/...1-case-of.html

[Michael Coston]

Cambodia H5N1 Case Map & Timeline (2023-2024)




#17,920


Today's report of a 5th H5N1 case in Cambodia in less than a month demonstrates that even after going early a decade without a human case, older disease threats can still stage a comeback. A reminder that old scourges like SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and even avian H7N9 could someday regroup and threaten public health.

I've put together a map showing the locations and the timeline of Cambodian cases over the past 12 months, one which shows that infections have been spread across 5 provinces, with most of the cases reported from 3 southern provinces (Kampot, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng).

Even more striking, the first two cases were reported in February of 2023, which were followed by nearly 10 months without a case. In October 2 more cases were reported, followed by another two in November.

While December was quiet, we've seen 5 cases reported since the 4th week of January.

This acceleration in cases isn't totally unexpected, as avian flu transmission tends to increase during the winter months. Of course, winter is a relative thing, and in Cambodia January daytime temperatures still often reach the 90s.

Last October we looked at a Preprint: A Timely Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Rural, Cambodia, which was published just before the 3rd and 4th cases were announced in 2023, which examined some of the common practices in this part of the world which can increase the risks of H5N1 infection.

More than 200 (n=208) participants from Prey Veng province were invited to be interviewed face-to-face on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to avian influenza.

Although this study was limited both in number of participants, and geographic scope, it is probably fairly representative of the practices of tens, or even hundreds, of millions of people living in this part of the world.

We've seen many of the practices described before, including the consumption or improper disposal of dead poultry, often in connection with H5N1 spillovers.

Convincing people that something they have been doing for generations - like raising chickens in their backyard, or buying live poultry at bird markets - could suddenly be dangerous can be a hard `sell'.

We've seen similar (and often bitter) resistance to the notion that beloved camels in Saudi Arabia could carry a new, deadly coronavirus (seeSaudi Camel Owners Threaten Over MERS `Slander’).

Over the past few years, fur farms around the the world are suddenly viewed as potential `flu factories' (see PNAS: Mink Farming Poses Risks for Future Viral Pandemics), while some pet owners have had consider the possibility that their companion animals may be at risk from avian flu in the outdoor environment.

As the level of H5N1 (and other zoonotic viruses) continue to increase around the world, we find ourselves living in a `new normal', where old practices and traditions may need to be reconsidered and modified if we hope to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2024/...line-2023.html

[sharon sanders]

H5N1 case list updated link