World Health Organization (WHO)

GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning amid an increase in cases bird flu (H5N1) recently at Cambodia . Authorities in the Southeast Asian country recently reported that two people had contracted the disease, with one person eventually dying.

Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention WHO , Sylvie Briand, described the recent trend in the spread of the virus as “alarming.” He also said his organization was reviewing its global risk assessment.

“WHO takes the risks from this virus seriously and urges increased vigilance from all countries,” the WHO official said while addressing journalists during a virtual briefing. RTSaturday (25/2/2023).

According to Briand, apart from the increasing number of cases in birds, a similar situation has also occurred in mammals, including humans.

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On Thursday, Cambodian authorities reported that an 11-year-old girl had died from bird flu, with her father also testing positive. Their contacts are currently being checked.

Commenting on the case, Briand pointed out that it is not yet clear whether there is truly human-to-human transmission or whether the two individuals contracted the virus simply because of their exposure to the same environmental conditions, namely close contact with infected birds or other animals.

WHO representatives told reporters that the organization is in close contact with Cambodian authorities for any updates.

While the H5N1 virus has been around for more than two decades, a new strain named clade 2.3.4.4b emerged in 2020, causing a record number of deaths among wild birds and domestic fowl in recent months.

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