Re: Cambodia - Media report of 2 more H5N1 cases including 1 death
Re: Cambodia - Media report of 2 more H5N1 cases including 1 death
7th and 8th New Human Cases of Avian Influenza H5N1 in Cambodia in 2014 E-mail
Joint Press Release From the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Cambodia, and the World Health Organization (WHO)
Phnom Penh, 11 March 2014
The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that two (2) new human cases of avian influenza have been confirmed for the H5N1 virus. This is the 7th and 8th cases this year and the 54th and 55th persons to become infected with the H5N1 virus in Cambodia. The cases are from Kandal and Kampong Chnnang provinces. Of the 55 confirmed cases, 43 were children under 14, and 29 of the 55 were female. In addition, since the first case happened in Cambodia in 2005 there were 19 cases survived.
The
7th case, an 8-year-old boy from Spean-Dek village, Prek-TunLoab commune, Leuk-Dek district, Kandal province, was tested positive by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge on the 6th March 2014. The boy had onset symptoms of fever, chill, running nose, sore throat, and cough on 24th February 2014. His parents sought treatment at a private practitioner in the village on the same day. His condition worsened and the boy was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on 4th March. On 4th March, the boy had symptoms of fever, chill, running nose, sore throat, cough, dyspnoea, convulsion and somnolence. The specimen was collected on 5th March and Tamiflu was administered on the same day. The boy is recovering.
Around mid-February, about 90% of poultries died in the village. Chickens died in the case’s house and the family buried them. There is also a poultry slaughter’s house near to the case’s house. The parents reported that the boy had no direct contact but the chickens died in close proximity.
The
8th case, an 11-year-old boy from Toeuk Laak village, Toeuk Haut commune, Rolea Paear district, Kampong Chnnang province, was tested positive by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge on the 6th March 2014. The boy had onset symptoms of fever and headache on 3rd March 2014. His parents sought treatment at a private practitioner next to their house on the same day and on the next day (4th March). His condition worsened and the boy was admitted to Kampong Chnnang Provincial Hospital on 5th March. On 6th March, the boy had symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath and was referred to Kantha Bopha Hospital in the afternoon on the same day. The boy died a few hours after his admission on 6th March.
Beginning of February, chickens started dying in the village and in the case’s house and continued for a month. The boy helped to prepare dead chickens and ducks for food and ate them.
The Ministry of Health’s National and local Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are conducting outbreak investigation and responses following the national protocol.
"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 55 cases of H5N1 infection in humans since 2005 and here are the seventh and eight cases of 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 at the end of January, with prevention messages. Also, public health education campaign is being conducted in Spean-Dek village, Kandal province and in Toeuk Laak village, Kampong Chnnang province 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
Or contact:
Ministry of Health World Health Organization
Dr Sok Touch: Tel +855 12 856 848 Dr Pieter JM van Maaren: Tel +855 23 216 610
Dr Ly Sovann: Tel +855 12 825 424 Dr Reiko Tsuyuoka: Tel +855 23 216 610
Attachments:
Download this file (54th and 55th press release_H5N1_Eng.pdf)54th and 55th press release_H5N1_Eng.pdf
Download this file (54th_and_55th-press_release_H5N1 _kh.pdf)54th_and_55th-press_release_H5N1 _kh.pdf
http://www.un.org.kh/index.php/emergency-a-pandemic/avian-influenza-h5n1/681-2014-h5n1-march11
