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Cambodia begins culling poultry after bird flu outbreak

The deadly H5N1 bird flu virus has been confirmed in a young man near Cambodia's capital, prompting authorities to begin culling poultry in the region

  • Agencies
  • Published: 10:28 December 17, 2008
  • Gulf News

Phnom Penh: The deadly H5N1 bird flu virus has been confirmed in a young man near Cambodia's capital, prompting authorities to begin culling poultry in the region.

Agriculture Minister Chan Sarun said on Wednesday he had ordered a three-month ban on poultry transportation from the province of Kandal, 50 km south of Phnom Penh, after tests confirmed it was hit by the deadly virus.

Cambodia's Health Ministry alerted last week that a 19-year-old man had contracted the virus, making him the eighth infected person in Cambodia since its first case in 2005.

The patient fell ill on Nov. 28 but was only confirmed as having bird flu on Dec 11, a Health Ministry-WHO statement said.

He is in stable condition in the capital's Calmette hospital.
Chan Sarun said ministry officials were also investigating in the province of Kampong Speu, 60 km west of Kandal, after reports of dead chickens and ducks.

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