A 2-year-old girl in Cambodia's southeastern Prey Veng province died after contracting the H5N1 bird flu virus, marking the country's second fatality from the disease so far this year, the Ministry of Health announced on February 25.
According to medical records, the child was in contact with infected chickens raised by her family and passed away on February 25 after developing symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
The young girl slept and played near the family's chicken coop, where 15 chickens had already died and many others showed signs of flu infection.
Cambodian health authorities are investigating the source of the virus transmission and have warned that avian influenza remains a significant threat in the country. Last month, a 28-year-old man also died from H5N1 bird flu after consuming meat from infected chickens.
The H5N1 virus typically spreads among sick poultry but occasionally transmits to humans. Symptoms of the infection include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory deterioration.
In July 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of the risk of an H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, calling on countries to take urgent action to strengthen supervision, share information, and conduct research to prevent a potential pandemic./.
VNA
