Bird Flu Outbreak in Cambodia: Second Death Reported This Year
Overview
A two-year-old girl in Cambodia has died from bird flu, the second reported death from the virus in the country this year. The girl, who lived in southeastern Prey Veng province, contracted the H5N1 strain of bird flu after playing near sick chickens at her home.
Background
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type of flu that affects birds, but can also be transmitted to humans. The H5N1 strain of bird flu is particularly dangerous, as it can cause severe respiratory illness and even death in humans. Cambodia has seen an increase in bird flu cases in recent years, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that patchy surveillance is hampering its ability to manage the risk to humans posed by the H5N1 strain.
Case Details
The two-year-old girl, who was not identified, died on Tuesday after suffering from fever, coughing, and breathing difficulties. Tests confirmed that she had contracted the H5N1 strain of bird flu. According to the health ministry, the girl "slept and played" near a chicken cage at her family home, where about 15 birds had died and others were sick.
Previous Outbreak
This is the second reported death from bird flu in Cambodia this year, following a 28-year-old man who died last month after eating infected chicken meat. The ministry has warned that bird flu remains a threat in Cambodia and is investigating the source of the virus that caused the girl’s death.
Global Concerns
The WHO has expressed concerns about the spread of bird flu globally, calling on all countries to step up influenza surveillance and reporting in animals and humans, and for nations to share samples and genetic sequences. The organization has also emphasized the importance of early detection and prompt reporting of bird flu cases to prevent further transmission.
FAQs
- What is bird flu?
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type of flu that affects birds, but can also be transmitted to humans. - What is the H5N1 strain of bird flu?
The H5N1 strain of bird flu is a particularly dangerous form of the virus, which can cause severe respiratory illness and even death in humans. - How many deaths from bird flu have been reported in Cambodia this year?
Two deaths have been reported in Cambodia this year, including the recent case of a two-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man who died last month. - What is being done to prevent the spread of bird flu?
The Cambodian health ministry has warned that bird flu remains a threat in Cambodia and is investigating the source of the virus that caused the girl’s death. The World Health Organization has also called on all countries to step up influenza surveillance and reporting in animals and humans.