Another H5N1 bird flu case confirmed in Cambodia

ANKARA

Cambodia has reported another case of H5N1 bird flu, bringing the total number of cases in the country this year to nine, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

A 16-year-old girl from Chantrea in the southeastern Svay Rieng province was confirmed to have H5N1 bird flu, with symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath.

This is the second such case in less than a month in the Southeast Asian country, local news website VietnamPlus reported.

"Laboratory results from the National Institute of Public Health showed on Saturday that the girl was positive for H5N1 virus," the statement released late Saturday said.

The patient, who is in severe condition, is getting intensive care from a team of doctors, it added.

Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the victim in order to prevent an outbreak, the statement added.

Among the nine human cases of H5N1 bird flu so far this year were eight children, one of whom died, and an adult. All the patients reportedly had a history of exposure to sick or dead poultry prior to their illness.

H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, and its symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory illness.

According to the ministry, a total of 71 cases of human infection with H5N1 influenza, including 42 deaths, have been reported in the country since 2003.