PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Health has warned parents, guardians and caregivers of all children to keep them away from live, sick or dead poultry while the H5N1 bird flu continues to pose a health threat in the country. Cases are likely to be more prevalent among children, who are at higher risk and more vulnerable to the virus.

The Minister of Health, Mam Bunheng, issued this warning on Thursday, 23 February 2023, following the death of an 11-year-old girl in Prey Veng province on Wednesday, 22 February 2023.

Minister Mam Bunheng offered this advice after observing that children often play and feed local poultry or help clean cages and collect chicken and duck eggs. Such activities have children in close contact with poultry, especially when treating them like pets, making them more vulnerable and at higher risk of contracting bird flu.

"The H5N1 bird flu continues to pose a threat to the health of the Cambodian people and is more prevalent in children, who are a high-risk group," he said.

The Minister of Health reminded all parents, guardians and caregivers of children to protect their children and keep them away from all live, sick or dead poultry, and to make sure that children wash their hands with soap before eating and especially after contact with poultry.

He also emphasized that if a child has shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, they should be taken to the nearest health center or hospital for treatment and must report to the health officer about the history of exposure or contact with live, sick or dead poultry.

The H5N1 bird flu is usually transmitted from sick birds to other birds, but can sometimes be transmitted from birds to humans, especially in children, who may be at high risk of infection.

The 11-year-old girl who died from bird flu in Prey Veng province on Wednesday, 22 February, marks the 58th case of bird flu in Cambodia, following the 57th case which was detected on 14 March 2014.

Since the first outbreak of bird flu in Cambodia in 2005, there have been a total of 58 cases, including 45 cases in children under the age of 14, 31 cases in women, and only 19 survivors.