PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: A 3-year-old boy from southeast Cambodia’s Prey Veng province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, the first case of this year, the Ministry of Health reported in a statement on Friday.
The ministry said that the National Institute of Public Health and the Pasteur Institute confirmed the boy positive for H5N1 bird flu virus. He is currently receiving intensive care from a panel of doctors.
Checking from the patient’s village found that ducks and chickens had died in the area and around his house about ten days ago, the ministry said.
It added that a team of health experts is probing the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or individuals who have been in contact with the victim in order to prevent an outbreak in the community.
Measures for bird flu prevention
Tamiflu (oseltamivir), an antiviral drug to prevent the bird flu from spreading, was also provided to the people who had direct contact with the affected boy, the ministry said.
