Cambodia reports third bird flu case this year

A four-year-old boy from Cambodia's northeastern Kratie Province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, becoming the 3rd case this year, said a joint statement by the World Health Organization and the Cambodian Health Ministry on Wednesday. The boy was confirmed positive for the virus last Friday after he had onset fever, running nose, vomiting, sore throat and cough, the statement said. "The boy was admitted to Kratie Provincial Hospital on Thursday last week and Tamiflu was administered on the same day," it said. "The symptoms were mild and the boy is now in good condition." The statement said the boy had direct exposure with dead and sick poultry six days before his illness. Avian influenza H5N1 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. Bird flu was first identified in Cambodia ten years ago. To date, the country has reported 50 human cases of the virus, killing 34 people, the statement said.