A strain of avian flu affecting chickens in Kampong Cham province has also been detected in Kampong Thom province, health officials announced on Wednesday.

The H5N1 outbreak was first confirmed by officials after more than 200 chickens died in Trapaing Preah commune, in Kampong Cham’s Prey Chhor district, last month. Ministry of Health spokesman Ly Sovann said more infected birds have been confirmed in Kampong Thom but no human cases have been detected.

“For the Ministry of Health, we will continue to follow up for two weeks more to monitor the human health,” he said.

Ministry of Agriculture spokesman Lor Reaksmey could not be reached yesterday and a spokesman for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said it did not have data on how many birds were now affected.

In its press statement, the Ministry of Health appealed to people to avoid eating chickens that died of unusual circumstances and to maintain hygienic practices. It also encouraged people in the area exhibiting flu-like symptoms to seek medical care.