Cambodia's second human death from the avian influenza virus (H5N1) was confirmed

March 23.

Meas Roun, 28, a farmer from Samrong Leu commune, Tram Sasor village, Banteay Meas

district, Kampot province, died in Phnom Penh's Calmette hospital on March 22.

Yim Voeunthan, Secretary of State for Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries,

said 30 chickens died unexpectedly on Roun's farm in early March.

Roun plucked the chickens afterwards to prepare them for food. He started showing

symptoms of birds flu March 17.

Megge Miller, a World Health Organisation infectious diseases advisor, said she thinks

Roun contracted the disease from handling the dead chickens, not through consumption.

Voeunthan said MAFF has culled 122 chickens in Banteay Meas district as a result.