Two new instances of avian influenza have resurfaced after anxious farmers foolishly smuggled ducks from infected areas in Cambodia. The districts of Tbong Khmom and Batheay saw thousands of ducks dying, after which authorities confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in the poultry and began killing the birds. However, two farmers, fearing financial losses secretly carried away over a thousand birds, resulting in the disease being spread to neighboring poultry as well.
Kong Chean, in charge of the Agriculture department of Kampong Cham province, has confirmed that 2,000 ducks have either died or been killed in Batheay and an additional 1,000 in Tbong Khmom. Officials have been questioned regarding the illegal transportation of the infected ducks, with one official being fired.
Added, National Director of Animal Health Keo Phal has made provisions to quarantine the areas surrounding the new outbreaks. These places are northeast in the country, around 130 kilometres away from the capital, where health check officials have been posted in large numbers. Their job security has been threatened in case any further instances of bird transportation are reported before that area is made completely free from the disease.
Koe Phal has also confirmed that the disease had so far not infected human beings. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization and Cambodian Health Ministry officials are joining hands to oversee the people of that area and spot any telling signs or symptoms. The WHO estimates that the H5N1 virus has taken away 140 lives since the past three years, with six of the victims being from Cambodia. The most recent case was that of a teenaged boy from the infected area of Prey Veng.
