September 4, 2006

Bird flu endemic in Cambodia

The fact that bird flu appeared in Cambodia during a season formerly seen as a lower-risk period meant that it must now be seen as endemic and officials must remain in a constant state of alert, said World Health Organization epidemiologist Megge Miller.

Health authorities have ended a two-week observation period on three Cambodian communities where the H5N1 strain of bird flu was detected earlier this month, saying no humans have contracted the virus.

However, Miller said that the disease should be regarded as always present now, adding that too little was known about the disease yet to be sure it was not capable of lying dormant in some bird populations.

Authorities had tested more than 10 people after an outbreak in southern Prey Veng province was reported in ducks in mid-August.

Two districts in a neighbouring province subsequently reported the virus as farmers smuggled poultry out of the first infected area to salvage their assets before they were culled, causing the deaths of more than 2000 ducks.

Agriculture Ministry officials said they would continue to observe poultry in the area for at least a month after the outbreak was detected.

Cambodia has suffered six confirmed bird flu deaths.