Cambodian girl dies of avian influenza H5N1

Cambodian girl dies of avian influenza H5N1 (philstar.com) Updated July 29, 2011 02:10 PM

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Health and World Health Organization announced Friday that a 4-year old girl from northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey has died of avian influenza H5N1.

In a joint statement sent out to the media on Friday, it said the 4-year old girl from Chork Reaksmey Village, Monkulborey District, Banteay Meanchey Province died on July 20 as a result of respiratory complications after contracting human avian influenza virus H5N1.

"The girl is the 17th person in Cambodia to become infected with the H5N1 virus and the fifteenth to die from complications of the disease,"the statement said.

"All seven cases of H5N1 infections in human in Cambodia this year have been fatal and six of the seven cases were children," it added.

The patient became sick on 10th July and she was initially treated by local private practitioners with no effect and was admitted to a hospital in Siem Reap Province on 18th July. She died two days later.

"Avian influenza is still a threat to the health of Cambodians. Compared to last year, we have seen more H5N1 cases this year and children appear to be most vulnerable," said Minister of Health Mam Bunheng.

"I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry, discourage them from playing in area where poultry stay and wash their hands often. If they develop signs of respiratory infection, they should be brought to medical attention at the nearest health facilities and attending physicians be made aware of any exposure to sick or dead poultry," he added.