As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, there were no reports of bird flu cases in Cambodia that were of particular concern to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a serious infectious disease that can be transmitted from birds to humans, and outbreaks can occur in any country. The WHO closely monitors the global situation regarding bird flu and works with countries to detect and respond to cases.
It is important to note that my training only goes up until September 2021, and there may have been updates on this topic since then.
As of February 2023, it is important to note that there have been no recent reports of H5N1 bird flu cases in humans in Cambodia ,WHO.
There have been two cases of H5N1 bird flu (avian influenza A) in humans reported in Cambodia. The cause of the illnesses is being investigated, but it is suspected that humans may have acquired these diseases through contact with diseased birds or poultry. The Cambodian Ministry of Health confirmed via preliminary in-country genetic sequencing that these viruses are members of the H5 clade 2.3.2.1c and have spread among birds and poultry in Cambodia for many years. The World Health Organization has recommended certain preventative measures that may be implemented in the event that human-to-human transmission of bird flu is confirmed.
Cambodia has reported two cases of H5N1 bird flu (avian influenza A) in humans. Humans may have acquired these diseases via coming into contact with diseased birds or poultry. The cause of the illnesses is being looked at, and any new instances should be identified as soon as possible.
The Cambodian Ministry of Health confirmed via preliminary in-country genetic sequencing that these viruses are members of the H5 clade 2.3.2.1c and have spread among birds/poultry in Cambodia for many years. Both of these cases represent the first documented instances of human infection with this virus in Cambodia since 2014. H5 clade 2.3.4.4b, which is circulating in wild birds and poultry in the United States and other countries, is distinct from the 2.3.2.1c viruses found in Cambodia.
According to the Cambodian Health Ministry, a little girl became unwell on February 16 with a high temperature, cough, and sore throat, and she passed away on February 20 from the H5N1 bird flu virus Twelve of her contacts were then sampled by the authorities. Authorities revealed on Friday that the girl’s father, who is 49 years old, had tested positive despite showing no symptoms.The World Health Organization said it was in constant touch with Cambodian authorities about the issue, including the results of the girl’s other contacts’ tests.
Tens of millions of chickens have been slaughtered, millions of wild birds have perished, and the number of infections in mammals has been steadily increasing since late 2021, when one of the biggest worldwide avian influenza outbreaks on record began.Direct contact with infected birds is the most common way for humans to get the flu.
The World Health Organization’s(WHO) statement about implementing preventative measures in the event of human-to-human transmission of the bird flu virus is a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the face of infectious diseases.
Cambodian authorities are trying to determine whether the child and her father were exposed to the virus through handling contaminated birds. Many dead wild birds were discovered near the girl’s rural hamlet in the eastern Prey Veng province, and officials are awaiting test results from them as well.
The World Health Organization has said that certain preventative measures may be implemented rapidly in the event that human-to-human transmission of bird flu is verified .Moreover, other parts of Upper Kuttanad in Kerala have been hit by the bird flu. The WHO said that there are over 20 H5 avian flu vaccines approved for pandemic use.
A vaccine against the H5N1 virus, which is presently circulating, may take up to six months to develop, according to Richard Webby, director of the World Health Organization’s unit for investigating influenza in animals.
Over 450 people have lost their lives to H5N1 in humans during the last two decades. Ms. Briand said that the nine-year-old girl who had bird flu in Ecuador last month has “recovered and is out of the hospital” and is now on antiviral medicine.
The investigation into these two human cases is being led by the Cambodian Ministry of Health and other global public health experts, with assistance from local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workers and a CDC fast response team.
Health care personnel who were in close touch with the two patients as well as other community members, as well as local animals, are being tested as part of the investigation. The CDC is also supplying the necessary laboratory equipment and chemicals for the tests. If new information becomes available, the CDC will update the Cambodian Ministry of Health.
