KUCHING, March 4: The government is closely monitoring the bird flu outbreak situation in Cambodia caused by the Avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus, says Sarawak State Health Department Public Health deputy director, Dr Rosemawati Ariffin.
According to a news report from Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) on March 3, Dr Rosemawati said H5N1 or bird flu does not only exist in Malaysia, but in other countries throughout Asia and the world.
“As soon as we can detect the virus, we will immediately inform the World Health Organization (WHO) and immediate action will be taken thereafter,” she told a press conference on the upcoming Asia-Australasia Conference of Radiological Technologists 2023 held at Borneo Convention Center Kuching (BCCK).
She added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will also take action according to the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) which was established since 2005.
According to WHO, the latest confirmed case of human infection from the H5N1 virus was reported by Cambodia International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) on Feb 23, involving 11-year-old girl from Prey Veng province, in the south of Cambodia.
As of Feb 25, a total of 58 cases involving the H5N1 virus have been reported in Cambodia since 2003, including 38 deaths; nine cases and seven deaths between 2003 to 2009 and 47 cases and 30 deaths between 2010 to 2014. — DayakDaily
