Cambodia reports 2 more new human cases of bird flu

Two more children have been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, bringing the number of cases to five so far this year, said a joint statement by the World Health Organization and the Cambodian Health Ministry Friday.

One case involves a 10-year-old girl from eastern Tboung Khmum province, who was admitted to the Provincial Referral Hospital with fever, running nose, cough, and abdominal pain on Feb. 20 and was confirmed positive for the virus the same day.

"The girl was treated with Tamiflu. Now, she recovered," the statement said.

The other case is an 11-year-old girl from the same province, who was also sent to Provincial Referral Hospital with fever, running nose, sore throat, cough, and vomiting on Feb. 20 and was tested positive for the virus.

"She is also recovered now after being treated with Tamiflu," it said.

The two victims had direct exposures with dead and sick poultry before becoming ill, the statement said.

Bird flu remains a serious threat to the health of all Cambodians and children seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said.

"I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry and make sure children wash their hands with soap and water after any contact with poultry," he said.

H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, according to the WHO.

The virus was first identified in Cambodia ten years ago. To date, the country has reported 52 human cases of the virus, killing 34 people, the statement said.