BREAKING! 5-Year-Old Girl Is Second To Be Infected With H5N1 In Cambodia In Less Than 3 Days! More Cases Expected!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 08, 2024 2 months, 4 weeks, 23 hours, 39 minutes ago
H5N1 News: New Case in Takeo Province
In a recent press release on July 8, 2024, the Ministry of Health in Cambodia announced another case of H5N1 bird flu. The latest victim is a 5-year-old girl from Kirivong district, Takeo province.
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5-Year-Old Girl Is Second To Be Infected With H5N1 In Cambodia In less Than
3 Days! More Cases Expected!
This case follows closely on the heels of another infection reported just three days prior, raising concerns about the potential for more cases in the near future.
Family Ties and Exposure
According to the Ministry's announcement, the young girl had been experiencing a fever and is the cousin of a 3-year-old boy who tested positive for H5N1 on July 5.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-news-cambodia-on-alert-as-three-year-old-contracts-h5n1-avian-flu-more-possible-infections-expected
Both children live in the same household. Investigations revealed that approximately ten days before the girl fell ill, there had been dead chickens and ducks in their village. The family had cooked and consumed some of these dead chickens, and the girl had direct contact with the poultry.
Current Health Status and Medical Response
Currently, the 5-year-old's condition is mild, and she is receiving intensive care from medical professionals. The Ministry of Health has mobilized emergency response teams, including officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and local authorities, to investigate the outbreak and search for sources of transmission in both animals and humans.
Preventive Measures and Health Campaign
Efforts are underway to identify and isolate any other suspected cases of H5N1 to prevent further transmission within the community. The response teams are distributing the antiviral medication Tamiflu and conducting a health education campaign to inform residents about the risks and symptoms of bird flu. They are urging people to avoid contact with sick or dead poultry and to seek medical advice promptly if they experience symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath.
Rising Numbers: Seven Cases Confirmed
With this new case, the total number of H5N1 bird flu infections in Cambodia has risen to seven since the beginning of 2024. Among these cases, six have been children, one of whom tragically passed away, and one adult. Accoring to past
H5N1 News reports, each of these patients had a history of exposure to sick or dead poultry.
g>Historical Context and Ongoing Threat
H5N1 influenza primarily spreads among sick poultry but can sometimes be transmitted to humans. Its symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory illness. Since 2003, Cambodia has reported 69 cases of human infection with H5N1, resulting in 42 deaths. The Ministry of Health continues to emphasize the ongoing threat posed by bird flu, particularly to children, and advises against consuming ill or dead poultry.
Community Awareness and Vigilance
The Ministry of Health's press release serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance in the face of this persistent health threat. They are advising residents to avoid crowded places or towns and to immediately seek medical attention at the nearest healthcare facility if they exhibit any symptoms of H5N1 following contact with sick or dead birds.
Looking Ahead
As health authorities continue to monitor the situation and implement preventive measures, the focus remains on controlling the outbreak and preventing further infections. The health education campaigns and the distribution of antiviral medications are critical components of these efforts. The Ministry of Health remains committed to safeguarding public health and urges the community to cooperate fully with the guidelines and advisories issued.
For the latest H5N1 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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