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Cambodia’s struggles with the H5N1 virus – whose incidence began to increase significantly in 2011 – continues with the announcement this morning of that country’s 9th confirmed case of 2014. One other (fatal) case – that of a sibling of a confirmed case in February (see Cambodia: 2 Deaths - 1 Confirmed H5N1, 1 Probable) – is strongly suspected, but that patient was never tested.
Although the number of cases of H5N1 infection in Cambodia continues to mount, these cases have been widely scattered, making it likely that these are sporadic transmissions from birds or the environment rather than a sign of increased human-to-human transmission.
Here is the joint statement from the World Health Organization and the Cambodian MOH, as posted on the United Nations In Cambodia Website .
9th New Human Cases of Avian Influenza H5N1 in Cambodia in 2014
Joint Press Release From the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Cambodia, and the World Health Organization (WHO)
Phnom Penh, 17 March 2014
The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that one (1) new human case of avian influenza has been confirmed for the H5N1 virus. This is the 9th case this year and the 56th person to become infected with the H5N1 virus in Cambodia. The case is from Kampot province. Of the 56 confirmed cases, 44 were children under 14, and 30 of the 56 were female. In addition, since the first case happened in Cambodia in 2005 there were 19 cases survived.
A 2-year-old girl from Kandal village, Vat Ang Khang Tboung commune, Banteay Meas district, Kampot province, was tested positive by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge on the 14th March 2014. The girl had onset symptom of fever on 8th March 2014. Her parents sought treatment at a private practitioner on the same day (8th March) and on the next day (9th March). The girl was admitted to a private clinic on the 10th March and in Kantha Bopha Hospital on the 13th March. She had symptoms of fever, cough and dyspnea and Tamiflu was administrated on the same day. The girl died on the 14th March.
Beginning of February, chickens started dying in the village and in the house of the case. At the end of February and beginning of March, it is estimated that 90% of poultries of the village died. The girl had direct contact with dead chickens while her relatives prepared them for food and the girl ate them.
The national and local Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are conducting outbreak investigation and responses following the national protocol.
For now, H5N1 remains poorly adapted to humans - only rarely being passed from one person to another - and is primarily a threat to poultry.
But as with any influenza virus, H5N1 has the capacity to evolve and change behavior over time. Which is why we watch these cases carefully, looking for any signs that the virus has better adapted to human physiology.
