PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – According to health officials, an 11-year-old girl in Cambodia died from bird flu, marking the country’s first known human H5N1 infection since 2014.
Bird flu, also called avian influenza, usually spreads among birds. It wasn’t thought to be a threat to people until an outbreak in Hong Kong’s live poultry markets in 1997. Most cases of the virus in humans around the world have been caused by direct contact with infected poultry. However, there have recently been reports of infections in a number of mammals, and the virus could change so that it spreads more easily between people.
The girl from the rural southeastern province of Prey Veng fell ill on February 16 and was taken to a hospital in the capital, Phnom Penh. The Health Ministry said in a statement Wednesday night that she died shortly after being diagnosed with a fever of up to 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) with coughing and throat pain.
The ministry said in another statement Thursday that health officials took samples from a dead wild bird at a conservation area near the girl’s home. It also stated that teams in the area would warn residents not to touch dead or sick birds.
Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng warned that children who feed or collect eggs from domesticated poultry, play with the birds, or clean their cages are especially vulnerable to bird flu.
Bird Flu Killed The 11 Year Old
H5N1 infection causes symptoms similar to other flu, such as coughing, aches, and fever, and in severe cases, patients can develop life-threatening pneumonia.
According to the World Health Organization, Cambodia had 56 human cases of H5N1 between 2003 and 2014, with 37 of them being fatal.
In 21 countries, the WHO has received reports of approximately 870 human infections and 457 deaths. However, the rate has slowed, with approximately 170 infections and 50 deaths occurring in the last seven years.
Earlier this month, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern about avian influenza infections in mammals such as minks, otters, foxes, and sea lions.
“H5N1 has been widely spread in wild birds and poultry for 25 years, but the recent spillover to mammals must be closely monitored,” he warned.
A 9-year-old girl from Ecuador became the first reported case of human infection in Latin America and the Caribbean in January. She was given antiviral medication.
Tedros stated that the WHO continues to consider the risk of bird flu to humans low.
“However, we cannot assume that will continue, and we must be prepared for any change in the status quo,” he said. He advised people not to touch dead or sick wild animals and urged countries to beef up surveillance of areas where people and animals interact.
SOURCE – (AP)
