March 16, 2004

Cambodia Reports Three New Bird Flu Outbreaks

Cambodia have confirmed three new outbreaks of bird flu, an official said Tuesday.

More than 30,000 chickens, ducks and other fowl have been slaughtered in Cambodia to prevent the spread of the disease. No human cases have been reported here.

Kao Phal, director of the Agriculture Ministry's animal health department, said birds had fallen sick at three farms last month, and test results from samples sent to France confirmed that they had the avian influenza.

He said more than 4,200 chickens and ducks were destroyed at two farms in Takeo province, about 65 kilometers south of Phnom Penh.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 chickens were culled at a farm in Kandal province, which surrounds Phnom Penh.

Bird flu has ravaged flocks in parts of Asia, and has spread to humans in Thailand and Vietnam, killing 22 people.