On 28 Jan 2024, the Ministry of Health continued to warn people to be careful about bird flu while finding a man infected with the disease in Ta Proy village, Prey Chrouk commune, Puok district, Siem Reap province.

Another case of bird flu was reported in a 69-year-old man and was confirmed positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus from the National Institute of Public Health on 27 Jan 2024, living in Ta Proy village, Prey Chrouk commune, Puok district, Siem Reap province.

The ministry added that the patient is currently receiving intensive care from doctors. According to the survey, the patient has raised about 50-60 chickens at home and have been dying for about 2 weeks.

The National and Sub-National Rapid Response Teams of the Ministry of Health have been cooperating with the working groups of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment, local authorities at all levels to actively investigate the outbreak of bird flu and respond following the method and technical protocols, continue to search for sources of transmission on both animals and humans, and continue to search for suspected and affected cases to prevent transmission to others in the community, as well as distributing Tamiflu to close contacts and undertake health campaign for the people in the village where the incident occurred.

The Ministry of Health would like to remind all citizens to be careful about bird flu because H5N1 bird flu continues to threaten the health of our people and also would like to inform that if you have symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose or difficulty breathing or have a history of contact with sick or dead chickens during the 14 days before the onset of symptoms, do not go to crowded places or towns and seek medical advice and treatment at the nearest health facility as soon as possible.

Transmission: H5N1 bird flu is a flu virus that is usually transmitted from sick birds to other birds but can sometimes be transmitted from birds to humans through close contact with sick or dead birds. Avian influenza in humans is a serious disease that requires a timely treatment at hospital. Although it is not easily transmitted from person to person, if it can be re-assorted, it can be as contagious as the seasonal flu.

Preventive measures: the Royal Government education messages include frequent hand washing with soap and water before eating and after contact with birds, keep children away from birds and keep birds away from living areas, do not eat sick or dead birds and all birds made for eating must be well cooked.

The Ministry of Health will continue to inform the public about information related to public health issues through the Telegram Channel and the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Health, as well as the official Facebook page of the Communicable Disease Control Department and the website https://www.cdcmoh.gov.kh from which health education materials can be downloaded, viewed and used.