Avian influenza – situation in Viet Nam and Cambodia - update 8

2 February 2005

First Cambodian human case of infection with A/H5 avian influenza

The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has today reported one further laboratory confirmed case of human infection with H5 avian influenza. The 25-year-old woman was from Kampot Province in Cambodia, where she developed respiratory symptoms on 21 January 2005. She sought medical care in neighbouring Viet Nam on 27 January and died in Kien Giang Provincial hospital in Viet Nam on 30 January. Tests undertaken at the Pasteur Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam on 1 February were positive for influenza A/H5. She is the first human case of H5 infection reported from Cambodia.

A joint mission of the Cambodian Ministries of Health and of Agriculture and of WHO is in Kampot Province, investigating the circumstances surrounding this case.

Cases under investigation in Viet Nam

Three more people are reported to have died of H5N1 avian influenza in Viet Nam. Among them, figure the 13-year-old and 10-year-old girls announced previously. Both children resided in different southern provinces. The third death occurred on 27 January in a man in his 30's from the northern province of Phu Tho.

If confirmed by the Ministry of Health, these latest three cases will bring the total number of human H5N1 cases in Viet Nam, excluding the case from Cambodia reported above, identified since mid-December to thirteen. Twelve of these cases have been fatal.