Synopsis: Ministry of Health’s rapid response teams working with provincial agricultural officials to investigate outbreak.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed another case of avian influenza in a 66-year-old woman who tested positive for the H5N1 virus on April 21.
The patient from Trapeang Thkov village, Pong Toek commune of Svay Rieng province’s Ramduol district has been isolated in hospital, a press statement said yesterday.
Investigation found that chicken cooked at the patient’s home was from sick birds, which were also found in the village.
Rapid response teams of the Ministry of Health are working with provincial agricultural officials to investigate the outbreak and respond in keeping with technical protocols.
This includes identifying sources of infection in both animals and humans, as well as tracking suspected cases and close contacts.
Contact tracing efforts are on to prevent further community transmission, with antiviral drug Tamiflu distributed among those who came in contact with infected birds or people.
The ministry has urged the public to remain vigilant, as H5N1 avian influenza continues to pose a threat.
People experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, or difficulty breathing—and who came in contact with sick or dead poultry within 14 days ahead of symptom onset—are advised to avoid gatherings or crowded places and seek immediate treatment at the nearest health centre or hospital.
H5N1 is a type of influenza that generally spreads among birds, but can occasionally transmit to humans through close contact with infected or dead poultry. Although human-to-human transmission is not common, the virus may mutate and spread like seasonal influenza.
The ministry also advised people not to touch or consume sick or dead poultry. Poultry should be scalded in boiling water before plucking.
