FDA Authorizes New Hemispherx Biopharma Clinical Trial of Intranasal Ampligen(R) With Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Press Release Source: Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. On Wednesday July 20, 2011, 8:00 am EDT

First Clinical Application of Ampligen(R) Intranasally

Excerpt:

PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (NYSE Amex:HEB) (the "Company" or "Hemispherx") today announced it has received U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) authorization to proceed with the initiation of a new clinical trial of intranasal Ampligen(R) [rintatolimod; poly(I).poly(C12,U)] used in conjunction with commercially approved seasonal influenza vaccine. The FDA authorization also requests that certain protocol amendments and pre-clinical items be filed to the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application; these requests are not expected to affect the implementation or timing of the clinical study which will involve healthy volunteers. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of three cycles of intranasal Ampligen(R) administered three days following each intranasal dose of seasonal influenza vaccine. Other objectives include evaluation of various immune responses to the trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine administered intranasally with and without Ampligen(R). Ampligen(R), a toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist, is an experimental therapeutic in advanced clinical development for the potential treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), an enigmatic disorder which may have certain viral "footprints".
-snip-

A similar study of Ampligen(R) and a seasonal influenza vaccine in mice resulted in cross-protection of the mice against a pandemic form of avian influenza (H5N1). Evidence for cross-reactivity against pandemic forms of avian H5N1 influenza virus will be investigated as one of the objectives of this study. One goal of this approach is to generate protective mucosal immunity against newly emerging strains of H5N1 with pandemic potential using Ampligen(R) as a mucosal adjuvant with trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine.

Harnessing the immune system's arsenal: producing human monoclonal antibodies for therapeutics and investigating immune responses

Abstract

Monoclonal antibody technology has undergone rapid and innovative reinvention over the last 30 years. Application of these technologies to human samples revealed valuable therapeutic and experimental insights. These technologies, each with their own benefits and flaws, have proven indispensable for immunological research and in our fight to provide new treatments and improved vaccines for infectious disease.

Introduction
Excerpt:
This article will explore the history and current state of monoclonal antibody technology and how it has contributed to therapeutics, both through direct clinical treatments and by providing valuable insights into host–pathogen interactions. Importantly, we will highlight how these technologies help identify factors that produce broadly neutralizing antibodies—antibodies that by virtue of binding to certain epitopes important in the viral life cycle, are able to bind many disparate viral strains and prevent them from infecting their target cells. These antibodies are vital in effective therapeutics and, ultimately, successful vaccine design.

In conclusion
Excerpt:
The current state of monoclonal antibody technology is enabling exciting advancements in immunotherapies and understanding of host–pathogen interactions. Maybe more importantly, it is now evident that insight into our natural immune responses can facilitate rational vaccine development. Thus, the most important lessons may be those we’ve garnered from our bodies’ natural responses; not only can we can capitalize on our strengths, such as targeting of specific pathogenic epitopes, but we can also compensate for our inherent weaknesses, such as the rarity of our most powerful antibodies. In the end, the information we gather from monoclonal antibody technology may be more important than the direct attainment of therapeutics (borrowing from an old adage, catch a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime). Similarly, by studying what antibodies can teach us, we may someday produce vaccines that eradicate many infectious diseases that have a profound impact on human health such as influenza, hepatitis, or HIV.

Ottawa prepares for annual wild bird survey to detect bird-flu levels

August 5, 2011

OTTAWA — Food inspection agents are gearing up to conduct their annual survey of wild birds to check current levels of avian influenza.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued an advance contract notice, which closes next week, for companies interested in overseeing the survey, which examines both dead and live birds all over the country and detects levels and patterns of bird flu.

The study, first launched in 2005, identifies disease-causing strains, such as the deadly H5N1, in wild geese, ducks, swans and other fowl so government officials can better determine how to stop their spread should there be an outbreak.

Read more: http://www.canada.com/health/Ottawa+prepares+annual+wild+bird+survey+detect+bird+levels/5213642/story.html#ixzz1UKvnvuOW

Vietnam: Avian influenza reappeared in Nghe An in Poultry

05/08/2011

Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on 4 / 8, bird flu has reappeared in Nghe An.

Thus, in the province there were two bird flu appears again and Nghe An Phu Tho is.

Before that, from 17-28/7, service occurred in five households in communes and towns is the town Quan Hanh Nghi Dien Commune, Nghi Hoa Nghi Thuan and Phuong Nghi Nghi Loc district. The total number of infected poultry is 1,494 children (including 32 chickens and 1,462 ducks).

Currently, to ensure the prevention of epidemic, Department of Veterinary Nghe An province is working with local authorities implemented measures to prevent and combat service as prescribed.

Last time, the disease of cattle and poultry basically been controlled, the country no longer appears blue ear disease and foot and mouth disease, the province has focused on development of livestock to ensure supply as well as contributing to price stabilization. /.

Medical staff died from bird flu

Yes a very confusing story..


Wednesday, August 03, 2011 6:49:56 PM
SAIGON (DT) - Avian influenza appeared suddenly in Saigon last week a woman died and a baby admitted to hospital for treatment.
A sale of poultry at the market she is the chicken in the cage. (Image: Hoang Dinh Nam / AFP / Getty Images)

According to Dan Tri newspaper, the victim died of bird flu this stage she TTHT 25-year-old resident of An Phu Commune, Binh Chanh District, staff clinics in Le Minh Xuan Binh Chanh District.

Relatives of Ms. H.T. said Mrs. T. high fever before, taking on not feeling much relieved. When the condition becomes severe, it took her T. the district hospital treatment but no relief. Ms. T. then transferred to the hospital Nguyen Tri Phuong continue treatment but not saved. Tests showed Ms T. H1N1 avian influenza infection.

Until early August, her grandchildren T. 18 months new name began TNTV fever. Blood tests showed positive for the virus H1N1 baby. Baby V. was immediately taken to hospital treatment.

According to Dan Tri, after a lull, bird flu reappeared in Binh Chanh District. Preventive health centers must implement zoning measures to avoid spread of disease following the death of Mrs. T. (PL)

UN confirms avian flu death in Cambodian girl, case in Egypt

Date: Tue 2 Aug 2011
Source: CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy) News
[edited]
<http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/aug0211fluscan.html>


------------------------------------------------------------
Cambodia
--------
The World Health Organization (WHO) today [2 Aug 2011] confirmed
previous media reports of a fatal case of H5N1 avian influenza in a
4-year-old girl in Cambodia [see also: Avian influenza, human (52):
Cambodia (BM) 20110729.2279]. The girl was from Chork Reaksmey village
in Banteay Meanchey province, the WHO said, citing the Cambodian
health ministry. She got sick on 11 Jul 2011, was initially treated by
local private practitioners, was hospitalized on 18 Jul 2011, and died
2 days later, the agency said. Poultry deaths have been reported in
the girl's village, and she was said to have been exposed to dead
poultry, the statement said. 13 contacts of the girl were tested for
H5N1, all with negative results, and enhanced surveillance at local
medical facilities has yielded no evidence of increases in flu-like
illness or severe respiratory infections (see Avian influenza -
situation in Cambodia - WHO update 5
<http://www.who.int/csr/don/2011_08_02/en/index.html>).

Meanwhile, H5N1 recently killed 100 backyard chickens and ducks at 2
villages elsewhere in Banteay Meanchey province, according to a report
that Cambodia filed yesterday [1 Aug 2011] with the World Organization
for Animal Health (OIE). Officials culled another 480 birds to stop
the outbreak, the report said. The source of the outbreak was listed
as unknown.

[According to the WHO table of confirmed human cases of avian A/(H5N1)
virus infection
(<http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2011_08_02/en/index.html>)
as of 2 Aug 2011 there have now been 556 cases globally and 325
fatalities. 16 of the cases and 14 fatalities have occurred in
Cambodia.

The location of Banteay Meanchey province can be found in the map of
the provinces of Cambodia at
<http://www.canbypublications.com/maps/simpleprov.htm>. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Cambodia can be seen at
<http://healthmap.org/r/15wU>. - Mod.CP]

Egypt
-----
In addition, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) today [2 Aug 2011] confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian
influenza in Egypt. The FAO report [available at
<http://empres-i.fao.org/empres-i/2/obd?idOutbreak=164064] said the
case was in Al Beheira governorate in the northern part of the country
but supplied no details of the age and sex of the person and how
transmission likely occurred. A positive test was confirmed on 27 Jul
2011.

Anticipation of AI with Turmeric

K24-11 Glori K. Wadrianto Wednesday, August 3, 2011 20:12 pm
Thousands of deadly bird flu virus in chickens Polewali Mandar. 1
Sidrap, KOMPAS.com - Attack avian influenza (AI) or bird flu is still haunting farms in 11 districts in Sidrap, South Sulawesi.

Although relatively little appeal in the peak of bird flu in July 2001, but the attack was a chicken farmer concerns at the center of the largest chicken farms in the South Sulawesi.

Until this afternoon, Wednesday (08/03/2011), there were already 215,938 chickens that died suddenly due to bird flu. This type of laying chicken is a type of chicken the most attacked that amounted to 161,584 head, followed by type of broiler chicken and chicken instead of the tail 40 005 22 593 race tail.

"So far bird flu is under control in the District Sidrap. Even if there are chickens and other fowl that died suddenly due to bird flu, is relatively much smaller scale," Chief District Veterinary Sidrap Sadelih.

Separately, Syamsiah, Bird Flu Response Officer (PSDR) said this year is the third year, the District Sidrap zoned for bird flu outbreak, which originated from the village Wanio, District Panca Lotang, who attacked the farm owned by H Jafar laying hens.

"Beginning with the death of 300 chickens owned by Jafar, ranchers Wanio. Testing with rapid tests indicate that if the chickens owned by residents is positive of bird flu. From there, the virus quickly spread to 11 other districts," he explained.

In addition to spraying, to save the other birds that have not been exposed to the virus, given turmeric and brown sugar in a way in Drinks. It is fairly powerful, in addition to minimizing the use disinvektan whose numbers dwindling.

"Turmeric contains anti-oxidants that serve to minimize the virus and anti-biotic substances to poultry and red sugar serves to maintain stamina chicken," he explained.

UNDIAGNOSED DIE-OFF, DUCKS - CHINA, THAILAND: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

A ProMED-mail post
Date: Tue 2 Aug 2011
From: Arnon Shimshony <arnon@promedmail.org> [edited]


According to a reliable source, mass mortality in duck breeding
flocks, reaching very large dimensions, has been observed recently in
China; a similar event was later observed in Thailand. Though no
further details (age groups, clinical signs, post-mortem changes, etc)
have become available, the event was considered by the source to be an
emerging (new?) infectious (viral?) disease.

Any available information -- confirmatory or otherwise -- and
complementary epidemiological, diagnostic, and/or geographical data,
will be much appreciated.

--
Arnon Shimshony

Chicken in Makassar Safe for Consumption...says Indonesia..

Eastern Tribune - Tuesday, August 2, 2011 22:34

Makassar, Tribun-TIMUR.COM - Marine Service, Fisheries, Livestock and Horticulture Makassar City asserts that the meat on the market during Ramadan is safe for residents although few weeks before entering the Ramadan found positive bird flu virus in several regencies in South Sulawesi.

"We conduct regular monitoring and all meats are traded on the market Makassar safe for consumption, either chicken, beef, goat and others," said Head of the Department of Marine, Fisheries, Livestock and Horticulture Syaiful Saleh Makassar in Makassar, on Tuesday (2 / 8 / 2011).

He said the consumption of meat during Ramadan is high enough and to ensure the meat consumed by the residents safe, the institute routine monitoring on the traditional market and modern market.

Tightened oversight of meat imports into the city of Makassar, following the discovery that the import of meat outdated and not worth the consumption of a few weeks ago.

"The tightening oversight of meat imports, to anticipate the presence of inappropriate consumption of meat and can endanger health, especially at the present time we want to provide reassurance to residents who are running fast," he said.

According to him, ,,,

The spread of Bird Flu Spreads Kian

Reny Sri Ayu Taslim Agus Mulyadi Tuesday, August 2, 2011 22:30 pm

HAMMER, KOMPAS.com - Since the outbreak early July, the spread of bird flu virus in Palu, Central Sulawesi, and the surrounding areas are increasingly widespread.

Until Tuesday (08/02/2011) was reported, had hundreds of chickens or birds that died suddenly. Even on a Tuesday afternoon, still happen livestock cases of sudden death. Efforts have been done spraying the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and marine Palu but the results have not been up.

"Spraying is not maximized because of the new enclosure's farmer sprayed the report. There was the case but the owner did not report, still not dis emprot. We also constrained the lack of disinfectants," said Hasniwaty, Head of Livestock, Agriculture, Forestry, and Marine City Palu, on Tuesday.

According Hidnawaty, efforts to suppress the spread of bird flu virus that made the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Marine Palu hampered lack of disinfectant. For spraying purposes, by far the disinfectant used is a residual stock of last year. This year, there has been no provision for the disinfectant.

"We've asked the city government to hold a disinfectant. This year there is no provision, because last year free of bird flu Palu. So for the only remaining stock that we use. We do not yet know how many are needed, but for a while based on the number of cases We need at least 10 dos disinfectant. One dos typically contains 12 doses, "said Hasniwaty.

Based on field data on the Agriculture Department of Animal Husbandry, Forestry, and Marine Palu, of which there are 43 urban villages, as many as eight of whom are stricken with bird flu. Urban Village, among others Donggala Kodi, South Lolu, Tana Modindi, Duyu, Kamonji, North Tatura, Talise, as well as the Middle Besusu.

Initially pigeon bird flu attacking livestock in the village of Donggala Kodi. Furthermore, the attacks spread to poultry and neighboring districts, up to now total there are eight districts affected by the number of livestock that died more than 300's tail.

Related to this, the mayor of Palu, Rusdi Mastura, issued a circular letter 443.1/270/Disperhutla numbers, to all district head to anticipate the growing spread of bird flu. The district head of whom was asked to do spraying disinfectant into the cages of livestock owned by residents.

In addition, agencies and the subdistrict was also ordered to monitor incoming traffic kaluar chicken and from Palu. It is suspected bird flu through poultry originating from outside the city of Palu, but no one has known from the area where it came from. In addition, the bird flu virus is also thought to spread due to weather changes from rain to heat.

Bird Flu Not Attacking Humans..says Indonesia

Medan Tribune - Monday, August 1, 2011 23:04

Tribun-MEDAN.com, Cape Redeb - A few days after the H5N1 virus or bird flu attacked poultry and causing dozens of chickens died suddenly discovered in several places, the current samapai Berau District Health department has not mnerima reports these viruses infect humans move their host.

This was conveyed by the Chief Medical Officer of Berau District, Augustine Monday (1 / 8). He said although there has been no incoming virus Reports mejangkiti citizens, but as a precaution he has been coordinating with local hospitals to prepare Rumaha special handling if encountered a patient who diketahuai terangkit virus.

"Step preventivnya it and then if there pendemi anatara man to man we will prepare the hospital for such a special space membeuat but if today we are still in the community," he said

In addition to assuage fears in the midst of the people he was with relevant technical agencies are also regularly held on angkah p enyuluhan measures to prevent the spread of bird flu, especially in areas that had attacked the virus.

WHO Update: Avian influenza – situation in Cambodia - update 5

2 August 2011 - The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia has announced a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The case was a 4 year old female from Chork Reaksmey Village, Rohath Teuk Comune, Mongkul Borei District, Banteay Meanchey Province. She developed symptoms on 11 July, was initially treated by local private practitioners with no effect and was later admitted to Jayavarma VII Hospital on 18 July. She died on 20 July, two days after admission.

There have been reports of poultry die off in her village and the case is reported to have had exposure to dead poultry. The female is the seventeenth person in Cambodia to become infected with the H5N1 virus and the fifteenth to die from complications of the disease. All seven cases of H5N1 infections in humans in Cambodia this year have been fatal.

The National and local Rapid Response Team (RRT) is conducting outbreak investigation and response following the national protocol.

There is no evidence of increased ILI activity in the local health centre or any increase in number of SARI cases from the affected village. Thirteen contacts were tested for A/H5N1 influenza, all of whom were negative. There is enhanced surveillance for ILI and SARI in the local health centre and hospital for a further two weeks. Health education messages are ongoing in the community.

West Nile Virus Detected In DC And Virginia

Submitted by Nimisha Sachdev on Sun, 07/31/2011 - 09:46

According to the Washington, DC Department of Health, the West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in three neighbourhoods of the District of Columbia, but by keeping mosquito populations under control, the virus can be prevented from coming to Maryland. The virus has been detected in Virginia (Henrico County) though not in Maryland, as yet.

A seasonal epidemic, the viral outbreak begins in the summer, lasting well into the fall. The virus can be transmitted to birds and humans, particularly the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, by mosquitoes who are infected.

The virus which spreads when bitten by an infected mosquito, with symptoms appearing withing 3 to 14 days, however, it cannot be transmitted from person to person.

The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using DEET containing insect repellant, as the best way to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, including getting rid of all standing water inside and outside the house, which mosquitoes can use as breeding sites, as follows:

· All flower pots, buckets and barrels must be emptied of standing water.
· Water in pet dishes must be changed daily and weekly for bird baths.
· Holes should be drilled in tire swings to allow water to drain out.
· Children’s wading pools should be emptied when not in use.

According to the CDC, around one in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus develop a severe illness, exhibiting symptoms of a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, coma, tremors, vision loss and paralysis, which can last for weeks. Around 20% of those who become infected experience milder symptoms lasting for just a few days, while the remaining 80% do not exhibit any symptoms at all.

Since, there is no cure for the virus, no medical treatment can be sought, though severe symptoms and complications from the illness may require hospital care and intravenous fluids.

Any complaints about standing water call be reported by calling the Prince George’s County Health Department at 301-883-7879.

Vietnam: H5N1 in Poultry Nghe An

Nghe An: Avian influenza occurs

On 29 / 7, Veterinary Department of Nghe An, said in Nghi Loc district, bird flu has appeared in communes and towns Dien Nghi Quan Hanh, the total sick ducks and chickens to be destroyed is 520 children.

The number of poultry was found in a small farm of a family in Nghi Dien Commune, Nghi Loc district on 27 / 7 the past. Once detected, Veterinary Department and related agencies have conducted organized emergency destruction. She is currently a hot season so the risk of epidemic spread to other regions is very large. Hot weather also affect the health, resistance to poultry, creating favorable conditions for pathogen survival, dispersal and spread.

[snip[

Friday, 29 July 2011

Bird Flu Worries Rise With Seventh Fatality This Year

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer Phnom Penh

Photo: AP

Worldwide, bird flu has been confirmed in 563 people since 2003, with 330 of them dying.

“She touched a dead chicken and got sick."

Bird flu has claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl from Banteay Meanchey province, the sixth child this year, health officials confirmed Friday.

The girl had been ill for 10 days and had sought treatment from a traditional healer before she was transferred to a pediatric hospital in Siem Reap, where she succumbed.

“She touched a dead chicken and got sick,” said Sok Touch, director of the Ministry of Health’s communicable disease department.

Hers was the 15th death from avian influenza since 2003, and the seventh death this year, the ministry and the World Health Organization said in a statement.

“Avian influenza is still a threat to the health of the Cambodian people,” Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in the statement, adding that children were especially susceptible.

“I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry,” he said.

Sok Touch said the girl’s village was now under supervision, while results from blood tests of 13 other villagers were pending.

Worldwide, bird flu has been confirmed in 563 people since 2003, with 330 of them dying.

Dozens in Berau Esophageal Poultry Bird Flu

Tribunnews.com - Friday, July 29, 2011 21:01 AM
TRIBUNNEWS.COM, Cape Redeb - In the last few tens of birds belonging to both are found dead of a sudden and terindikaskan infected with bird flu virus.

This finding occurred in three different locations that are in the district of Tanjung semauanya Redeb, Berau, East Kalimantan, one each in Gg jackfruit 2, Jl Manggis and tearakhir samasat housing complex in Berau District.

Secretary for the department of Animal Husbandry and Health Berau, Mustakim, symptoms of bird flu virus has been detected since a few days ago.

Initially the 26th yesterday found four dead birds belonging to both sudden and continuing through the next few days to reach 24 tails.

From examination and traits found in dead chickens, it concluded that it is true there has been transmission of bird flu virus.

Musatkim indicated virus is brought in from outside the region, because in this case Berau own for the first time this has happened, apalgi lanjutanya been monitoring the animals, especially through the land is still not.

"If the door-Pinu officially controlled, through the port, airport by land there is that we missed because of the arrival times of the night," he said

Cambodia reports H5N1 death, zoo outbreak

Lisa Schnirring Staff Writer

Jul 29, 2011 (CIDRAP News) – Cambodia's health ministry today announced today that a 4-year-old girl died from an avian influenza infection, a day after the country's animal health officials reported that the virus struck a zoo in a different province.

The girl, from Banteay Meanchey province in the northwestern part of the country, died Jul 20, the ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a joint statement, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. Her death is Cambodia's seventh this year and pushes its number of H5N1 cases to 17, including 15 deaths.

The report did not mention if the girl had been exposed to sick or dead birds, but Cambodia's health minister, Mam Bun Heng, warned parents and guardians to keep children away from them, according to the AFP report.

Yesterday Cambodia's agriculture ministry reported an H5N1 outbreak that killed 19 wild birds at a Phnom Tamao zoo in Takeo province, located in the southern part of the country, according to a report to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

The bird deaths started Jul 13 at the zoo's rescue center, where workers feed the wild birds fish distributed on the banks of a pond during the rainy season (June through December). Zoo workers originally suspected Newcastle disease or fowl cholera, and they buried the carcasses and disinfected the area.

The virus killed 19 birds, and 10 more sick ones were destroyed to control the spread of the virus, according to the report.

Investigators aren't sure where the birds are from, but they suspect the Tonle Sap River, which expands into a large lake during the rainy season, flooding nearby fields and forests. A team from the National Veterinary Research Institute and the zoo conducted an investigation and surveillance in neighboring villages.

'Super antibody' fights off flu

29 July 2011

The first antibody which can fight all types of the influenza A virus has been discovered, researchers claim.

Experiments on flu-infected mice, published in Science Express, showed the antibody could be used as an "emergency treatment".

It is hoped the development will lead to a "universal vaccine" - currently a new jab has to be made for each winter as the virus changes.

Virologists described the finding as a "good step forward".

Many research groups around the world are trying to develop a universal vaccine. They need to attack something common to all influenza which does not change or mutate.
Human source

It has already been suggested that some people who had swine flu may develop 'super immunity' to other infections.

Scientists from the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill and colleagues in Switzerland looked at more than 100,000 samples of immune cells from patients who had flu or a flu vaccine.

They isolated an antibody - called FI6 - which targeted a protein found on the surface of all influenza A viruses called haemagglutinin.

[continued - click on title for full article]

Cambodian girl dies from bird flu: WHO

Sapa-AFP 29 July, 2011 07:35

A four-year-old Cambodian girl has become the seventh person to die from bird flu in the country this year, says officials.

The child, from northwestern Banteay Meanchey province, died on 20 July, the health ministry and the World Health Organisation said in a joint statement. Tests confirmed she had contracted H5N1 avian influenza.

"I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry," Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bun Heng said.

All seven of Cambodia's bird flu cases since January have been fatal. Six of the victims were children.

The girl is the 17th person in Cambodia known to have become infected with the virus and the 15th to die from complications of the disease since 2005, they said.

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has killed 330 people worldwide since 2003, the statement said.

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.