Cambodia reports a H5N1 avian influenza case in Kratie province child
The Cambodia Ministry of Health is reporting a H5N1 avian influenza case in a 3 1/2 year old child from Prek Ta Am village, Bos Leav commune, Chit Borei district, Kratie province.
The case was confirmed positive for the virus by the National Institute of Public Health on Saturday.
According to a MOH press release, the boy was taken to hospital in critical condition with fever, cough and severe fatigue, including difficulty breathing. Currently, the condition and progression of pediatric diseases is serious and is being treated by a team of doctors with the utmost care.
According to the investigation, the patient's family raised chickens and had about five dead chickens, and some were sick, and family members cooked dead chickens for meals.
This is the third human case in 2025, following cases reported in January and February.
Health officials said (computer translated):
The Ministry of Health's national and sub-national emergency response teams have been working closely with provincial agriculture departments and local authorities to actively investigate the outbreak of bird flu and respond to 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.
The Ministry of Health would like to remind all citizens to be careful of bird flu because H5N1 bird flu continues to threaten the health of our people, and also to inform you if you have a fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath and have a history of contact with sick or dead chickens during the 14 days before the onset of symptoms and people do not go to the meeting. Seek medical treatment at a nearby health center or hospital immediately to avoid delays, leading to a higher risk of eventual death.
Transmission: H5N1 bird flu is a flu virus that is usually transmitted from sick birds to other birds, but can sometimes be transmitted from birds to humans through close contact with sick or dead birds. Avian influenza in humans is a serious disease that requires timely hospitalization.
Although it is not easily transmitted from person to person, if it can metabolize it can be as contagious as the seasonal flu.
Influenza: What is the H and what is the N?
How to prevent:
Do not touch or eat sick or dead chickens and wear gloves and a mask or cover your nose with a scarf before handling chickens and soaking them in boiling water before rinsing.
Adhere to the practice of washing hands frequently before handling food, especially after contact with lice, poultry or other objects that may be a source of infection.
Cook well before eating, especially poultry and eggs. Do not eat chicken or duck eggs and keep raw and cooked foods separate and clean cooking utensils properly.
If there are many sick or dead chickens at home or in the village and there is fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath, seek immediate consultation and treatment at a nearby health center or hospital to avoid delays, leading to a higher risk of eventual death.
Therefore, the public should be aware of and take care of their health in the above preventive ways.