Bird flu has now become a health concern for the health authorities of Cambodia as another boy tested positive for the virus. According to the Health Ministry of the state, a new case has been detected in the brother of a boy who succumbed to the virus last week.
In 2023, the death of the 9-year-old little boy was the first death due to the virus; however, the World Health Organisation (WHO) registered around four (4) bird-flu deaths in humans last year.
As per the preliminary information by the local health authorities, the death was reported in the northeastern province of Kratie.
Deets about the case!
According to the Health Ministry of Cambodia, the 16-year-old boy tested positive for the virus after exhibiting no symptoms of the infection. Reportedly, he tested positive on Sunday, and since then, he has been seeking medical treatment as well as is in close observation.
In addition to this, the health experts have been investigating the matter to outline how the infection spread from one brother to another.
Symptoms shown by the deceased brother
According to the official information shared by the authorities, the little boy who died last week showed symptoms like high fever, shortness of breath, fainting, and coughing. The investigation has revealed that the little boy started showing the signs after eating a meal cooked from chicken and ducks of their poultry.
What is bird flu, and how can it affect humans?
Bird flu, scientifically known as avian influenza, is a disease caused by a virus among the bird and other poultry animals. The infection was not a threat to the general public until an outbreak happened in 1997. The first-ever outbreak was reported among the visitors of a poultry market in Hong Kong.
According to health experts, the infection usually spreads among people who are in contact with infected poultry; however, recently, the health authorities have outlined that the virus can easily evolve from an infected person to a healthy person.
Warnings by WHO and UN FAO!
As the Lunar New Year festivities are around the corner, the health agencies, including the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, have issued warnings that these festivities could become a source for the spreading of the virus.