WHO-Cambodian Health Ministry Confirms New Case of Bird Flu

Cambodia (Kohker) – The World Health Organization (WHO) and Cambodia’s Ministry of health has issued a joint statement confirming that a six-year-old boy from Cambodia’s southern province has been infected with the H5N1 virus.

“This is the 17^th case of bird flu in the country,” said the statement released Wednesday.

The Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh confirmed the boy coming from Prek Sleng commune in Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district contracted the H5N1 avian influenza, cough and lethargy; but he has recovered now.

According to the joint statement, only 7 out of the 17^th cases taking place this year survived. The latest death from the deadly disease was a 9-year-old-boy in the northwestern province of Battambang, who died last Sunday night while being treated at a children hospital in the nearby province of Siem Reap.

Since 2004, Cambodia has recorded 38 human case of bird flu, killing 29 people.