Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Fatality in year’s ninth bird flu case

Fatality in year’s ninth bird flu case

Fatality in year’s ninth bird flu case

A two-year-old girl from Kampot province confirmed to have the ninth case of avian influenza this year died on Friday, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday.

The toddler from Banteay Meas district was admitted to a private clinic on March 10 after developing a fever two days earlier, then transferred to Kantha Bopha Hospital on the 13th, according to the press release.

“At the end of February and beginning of March, it is estimated that 90 per cent of poultry in the village died. The girl had direct contact with dead chickens while her relatives prepared them for food and the girl ate them,” the release states.

On Friday, lab results confirmed she had H5N1.

The girl arrived at hospital in weak condition, Dr Denis Laurent, a spokesman for Kantha Bopha hospital, said yesterday.

“She died within 24 hours after arriving in hospital. We administered Tamiflu following all the usual protocol on March 13, but she also had pneumonia, so the child sickened very fast.”

WHO spokeswoman Vicky Houssiere said that during the same period last year, 12 cases of avian influenza were recorded.

“The virus is still circulating in poultry, so we’re expecting to continue seeing cases like this in humans,” she said.

At least 22 cases of bird flu were recorded by the Ministry of Health last year, the most of any year on record.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom

  • PM warns of int’l election interference

    With the national election scheduled to take place in less than two months, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned foreign nations and their diplomats not to interfere into Cambodia’s domestic affairs. He also hinted that their statements on court verdicts handed down to any