29 May 2012 - The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia has announced a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The case was a 10 years old female from Kampong Speu Province. She developed symptoms on 20 May 2012 and after initial treatment at the village was eventually admitted to the hospital on 25 May with symptoms of fever and shortness of breath. Infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was confirmed by Institute Pasteur du Cambodge on 26 May 2012, however, despite intensive medical care, she died on 27 May 2012.

There are reports of recent deaths among poultry in her village and the patient prepared sick chicken for food prior to becoming sick.

The girl is the twenty-first person in Cambodia to become infected with A(H5N1) virus and 19 have died from the disease.

The National and local Rapid Response Teams (RRT) are conducting outbreak investigation and response following the national protocol. In addition, a public health education campaign is being conducted in the village to inform families on how to protect themselves from contracting avian influenza.