The Cambodian Health Ministry on October 30 confirmed one new human case
of H5N1 avian influenza, increasing the number of infected people in
the country to 22 since the beginning of this year.
According to the ministry, the patient is a six-year-old boy in Rum
Doul commune, O Rum Duol district, Battambang province.
The virus was detected in him on October 14 and the boy was later
brought to Siem Riep hospital for treatment. The boy is reported to have
recovered after taking Tamiflu.
Cambodian Health Minister Mom Bun Heng said virus H5N1 is a threat to the health of the people, especially children.
As many as 32 out of 43 cases of avian flu in the country so far have
been in children under 14 years old, the minister said, adding that of
the 22 reported cases this year, 11 died.
To
prevent the virus spreading, especially among children, the Health
Ministry has warned parents and carers to keep children as well as their
surrounding environment clean.-VNA