Cambodia vigilant over bird flu

The Cambodia's Health Ministry urged people on Wednesday to be vigilant over H5N6, H7N9 and H5N1 avian influenza viruses in light of recent outbreaks in some Asian countries.

Citing the World Health Organization (WHO) figures, the ministry said South Korea and Japan had recently culled nearly 20 million poultry in their efforts to contain the H5N6 avian influenza epidemic, while in China, there had been a total of 807 laboratory-confirmed human infections with avian influenza H7N9 virus from 2013 to 2016.

"Currently, H5N6 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses have not been found in Cambodia, but the country had detected 56 cases of H5N1 virus that left 37 people dead between 2005 and 2014," the ministry said in a statement.

"Although Cambodia has no H5N6 and H7N9 viruses, people should be vigilant to prevent themselves from infecting with these viruses," the statement said.

The ministry advised that travelers to areas affected by avian flu viruses should avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live-bird markets, poultry-slaughtering areas, and contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with bird or other animal feces.

Bird flu normally spreads between sick poultry, but the virus can sometimes spread from poultry to humans. The noticeable signs of bird flu include fever with temperature higher than 38.5 degrees Celsius, cough and difficulty in breathing.

To date, there is no vaccine to prevent the virus.

"Bird flu remains a threat to the health of all peoples in the world and in the Southeast Asian region," Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in the statement. "I urge the people to stay away from sick or dead poultry and must clean their hands with soap after contacting with poultry." Enditem