Cambodian PM repeatedly appeals to fight bird flu outbreaks

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-3-11 16:12:28

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday repeatedly appealed to television and radio stations to broadly educate people about the outbreaks of Avian Influenza H5N1 virus, which has killed 8 people in the last two months.

"The virus has not only broken out in Cambodia, but also in some countries including the Middle East and China," the premier said during a graduation ceremony of students at the New Khmer Generation Institute.

"I'd like to appeal to television and radio stations to jointly broadcast educational spots about bird flu prevention as much as possible in order to reach people in remote areas," he said. " Television and radio hosts should also spread their educational messages to educate people about the virus."

He added that both teachers and Buddhist monks must tell their students and laypeople about the virus.

"Health officials alone cannot prevent the virus spread, but participation from everyone is very important to prevent and eliminate it," he said.

The noticeable signs of bird flu included fever with temperature higher than 38 degrees Celsius, difficulty in breathing, and before having fever, the patient must have touched or eaten poultry.

The premier's repeated appeal was made after the virus hit the country the worst in the last two months, killing 8 people.

The latest death was a 35-year-old man from eastern Kampong Cham province, who died late last month.



The H5N1 virus was first identified in Cambodia in 2004. To date, the country has recorded 30 human cases of the virus, killing 27 people.

Posted in: Asia-Pacific

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