Cambodia issues new directive to stop bird flu

Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has issued a new directive calling on the police, agriculture and health departments to join forces in the fight against bird flu.

Since the beginning of this year the virus has killed eight people, the worst recorded death toll in such a short period. In the last 10 years a total of 27 people have died due to the virus. The latest fatality was a 35-year-old man who died this week after eating infected duck.

Last week’s directive ordered a mass disinfection of all poultry farms and markets across the country, as well as efforts to monitor birds’ health and to stop illicit cross-border poultry transportation.

Health officials have warned people to wash their hands frequently, to keep children away from poultry and to avoid eating infected birds.

Bird flu has killed more than 365 people worldwide in the last ten years, according to WHO statistics.