# 6071
After seeing only 4 cases of H5N1 infection in humans over between 2007 and 2010, Cambodia suddenly become the focus of renewed attention after 8 fatal cases were reported during 2011.
Today, Xinhua News Service – via the China Daily Newspaper – is reporting the first Cambodian H5N1 infection of the new year.
A hat tip to Tetano on FluTrackers for picking up this story.
This latest case is reportedly from Banteay Meanchey Province, in the northwestern corner of the country, which is the same region where the 7th fatality of 2011 was reported last July.
Cambodia finds first case of H5N1 infection in human in 2012
Updated: 2012-01-13 22:48:00
(Xinhua)
PHNOM PENH, January 13 (Xinhua) -- A 2-year-old boy from northwestern Cambodian province of Banteay Meanchey was infected with avian influenza H5N1 virus, Cambodia's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization announced Friday.
The patient is currently in "critical condition" in Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap province.
The boy became sick on January 3 with fever, cough, runny nose and vomiting, the statement said, adding that he was initially treated by local private practitioners, but his conditions worsened and he was admitted to Angkor Hospital for Children on January 9.
"The diagnosis of the clinical samples on January 12 found that the boy had contact with sick or dead poultry prior to becoming sick," it said.
The boy is the nineteenth person in Cambodia to become infected with the fatal H5N1 virus, and the first such victim this year, said the statement. Of all the nineteen cases, 16 died.
"Avian influenza is still a threat to the health of Cambodians. This is the first case of H5N1 infection in human this year, and children appear to be most vulnerable," the Minister of Health Mam Bunheng said in the statement.
Reports on last year’s cases include:
Cambodia: 8th Fatal H5N1 Case Of 2011
Cambodia: 7th Bird Flu Fatality Of 2011
Cambodia: 6th Bird Flu Fatality Of 2011
Cambodia Reports 5th Bird Flu Fatality
IRIN: Cambodia’s Bird Flu Risk "under control" – Experts
Cambodia: 4th Bird Flu Fatality Of 2011
For now, bird flu remains primarily a threat to poultry. The virus remains poorly adapted to human physiology, and despite ample opportunities to cause illness in humans, the virus only causes rare, sporadic infections.
