Cambodia has successfully controlled the outbreak of avian influenza
(AI), with no suspected cases or death caused by H5N1 in the past two
weeks, said Cambodia’s National Committee on Disaster Management
(NCDM).
At a meeting with international
counterparts in Phnom Penh on March 14, First Vice Chairman of NCDM
Nhim Vanda said the timely response of relevant authorities to improve
public awareness of the threat of the pandemic is the reason behind the
success.
The Royal Government of Cambodia highly
valued the support and effective coordination of the Japanese
Government, European Union (EU) and United Nation agencies to fight AI,
he noted.
However, Vanda also admitted that the
pandemic can re-emerge anytime because of the unhygienic customs of
poultry farmers and butchers, particularly in rural areas.
Cambodia had the highest rate of H5N1 fatality of any country in
the first two months of 2013, with 8 deaths, 5 of which occurred in
districts bordering Vietnam.
Earlier this
month, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged relevant ministries to
urgently respond to the pandemic after the alarming increase of H5N1
cases in the country.
According to the World Health
Organisation (WHO), since its first appearance in 2003, AI has killed
365 people. Cambodia alone has recorded 30 cases with only three
survivors.-VNA