The Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed Cambodia’s eighth case of avian influenza, the first case this year, in a Kandal province resident.
Teng Sopheak, 19, from Kadal Steung district, was diagnosed with the disease after consuming poultry at the annual Water Festival, falling ill with a fever, cough, muscle aches and a soar throat. He is now recovering at Calmette hospital.
The H5N1 virus, which typically occurs in chicken and other birds, is a concern to global health officials because of its potential to mutate into a more readily contagious form.
Health officials said Friday field investigation teams from the ministry were conducting house-to-house searches in the affected area in search of people with bird flu symptoms and are conducting a detailed investigation of poultry deaths in the village.
Cambodia’s seven other cases were fatal, while 246 people have so far died from the disease worldwide.