Cambodia reports 5th H5N1 avian influenza case, Hong Kong investigates influenza A (H9) case
Cambodia
In a follow-up on the H5N1 avian influenza situation in Cambodia, the Ministry of Health reported an additional human case of H5N1 avian influenza in the country.
The patient is a 17-year-old girl from Damnak Trop Khang Tbong village, Kraing Svay commune, Chhuk district, Kampot province.
The girl presented with fever, cough, tiredness, and difficulty breathing. She is currently improving under hospital intensive care.
Officials report the teen had seven dead chickens about five days before onset of her illness.
The National and Sub-National Emergency Response Team of the Ministry of Health has been cooperating with the working groups of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment, local authorities at all levels to actively investigate the outbreak of bird flu and respond. In accordance with the methods and technical protocols, continue to search for sources of transmission in both animals and humans, and continue to search for suspected and affected cases to prevent transmission to others in the community, and distribute Tamiflu to close contacts. And conduct health education campaigns for the people in the above-mentioned villages.
This is the fifth case reported in Cambodia in 2024 to date.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong health authorities report investigating a case of influenza A (H9) infection affecting a 22-month-old girl.
According to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), the patient has developed fever and cough with sputum since February 15 and was brought to Union Hospital for medical advice on February 16. No hospitalization was required at that time. Her clinical specimen was tested positive for the influenza A (H9) virus today upon testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP. Subtyping result is pending. Her clinical diagnosis was avian influenza. She is in stable condition and arrangements have been made for her to be admitted to isolation ward of Princess Margaret Hospital for further treatment.
Preliminary investigation of the CHP revealed that the patient had visited the city of Zhongshan in Guangdong province on mainland China during the incubation period. The patient had no direct poultry contact recently, nor consumption of undercooked poultry, or contact with patients. One of her home contacts developed sore throat on February 17 who had taken medication and the symptom had subsided. Her other home contacts are asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.
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