# 7885
Although Cambodia recorded its first H5N1 cases in 2005 (n=4) - and has reported cases every year since then - fully half (n=21) of all documented bird flu infections in that country have been recorded since the start of 2013. After four relatively quiet years (2007-2010), we began to see a significant uptick in the number of cases starting in 2011.
2005 – 4 cases 2010 – 1 case
2006 – 2 cases 2011 – 8 cases
2007 – 1 case 2012 - 3 cases
2008 – 1 case 2013 – 21 cases
2009 – 1 case
While a worrisome trend, so far, all of the cases this year appear to be widely scattered, and are attributed to direct contact to infected poultry. There are no indications of human-to-human spread of the virus.
Below you’ll find excerpts from the joint press release between the Cambodian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that one new human case of avian influenza has been confirmed for the H5Nl virus. This is the 21st case this year and the 42nd person to become infected with the H5Nl virus in Cambodia. Of the 42 confirmed cases, 31 were children under 14, and 25 of the 42 were female. In addition, only 10 cases out of the 21 cases this year survived.
The 21st case, an 8-year-old girl from 0-Raing village, Pung Ror commune, Baray district in Kampong Thom province confirmed positive for human H5Nl avian influenza on 17th October 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. The girl developed fever on 8th October 2013, together with sneezing. On 9th October 2013, her parents sought treatment for her in the village clinic. On 10th October 2013, the girl developed a cough together with fever and vomiting and her parents sought treatment for her outside the village at a private clinic in Taing Kor in Kampong Thom province. On 11th October 2013, the girl's condition worsened and the private clinic referred her to the Jayavamian VII Hospital in Siem Reap.
The girl was admitted to the JayavarmanVII Hospital, on 11th October, with fever, cough, vomiting and dyspnea. Laboratory samples were taken on 11th October and 14th October 2013, and Tamiflu administered on 14th October 2013. The girl is currently in stable condition.
Investigations by the Ministry of Health’s Rapid Response Teams (RRT) in O-Raing village revealed that the girl had come into direct contact with dead poultry when she helped prepare a meal from chicken that had died earlier.
Xinhua News also has the story:
Cambodia reports 21st bird flu case in 2013
Oct 22,2013
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- An eight-year-old girl from Cambodia's eastern Kampong Thom province has been confirmed for the H5N1 virus, bringing the number of the cases to 21 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and the Cambodian Health Ministry said Tuesday.
The little girl was confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza last week after she was admitted to the Jayavarman VII Hospital in Siem Reap province with fever, cough, vomiting and dyspnea, the statement said.
"The girl has been treated with Tamiflu and her condition is now stable," it said.
"Investigations revealed that the girl had come into direct contact with dead poultry when she helped prepare a meal from a chicken that had died earlier," it added.
Only 10 out of the 21 cases this year survived.
"Avian influenza H5N1 remains a serious threat to the health of all Cambodians and children seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk," Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in the statement.
"I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry and make sure children wash their hands with soap and water after any contact with poultry," he said.
H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, according to the WHO. It is a very serious disease that requires hospitalization.
Cambodia sees the worst outbreak of the virus this year since it was first identified in 2004. To date, the country has recorded 42 human cases of the virus which has killed 30 people.
For now, H5N1 remains poorly adapted to humans, only causing sporadic infections in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and is primarily a threat to poultry.
That status could change, of course.
And so we watch H5N1, along with the upstart H7N9 avian flu, MERS-CoV, and a growing list of other emerging infectious diseases carefully, for signs they may be better adapting to humans.
