Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PHNOMPENH583
2006-03-27 10:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:  

CAMBODIA/AI: THREE MORE HOSPITALIZED WITH AI-LIKE

Tags:  EAGR KFLU SENV AMED CB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2471
OO RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHPB
DE RUEHPF #0583 0861026
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271026Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6355
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM IMMEDIATE
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000583 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, OES/IHA DANIEL SINGER AND NATALIA
COMELLA, AND CA/OCS/ACS ELIZABETH RYAN
HHS FOR ASST SEC STEWART SIMONSON
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR KFLU SENV AMED CB
SUBJECT: CAMBODIA/AI: THREE MORE HOSPITALIZED WITH AI-LIKE
SYMPTOMS

REF: PHNOM PENH 570

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000583

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, OES/IHA DANIEL SINGER AND NATALIA
COMELLA, AND CA/OCS/ACS ELIZABETH RYAN
HHS FOR ASST SEC STEWART SIMONSON
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR KFLU SENV AMED CB
SUBJECT: CAMBODIA/AI: THREE MORE HOSPITALIZED WITH AI-LIKE
SYMPTOMS

REF: PHNOM PENH 570


1. One adult and two children with fevers and respiratory
problems were admitted to Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh on
Saturday. The three have been tested for avian influenza
and results are expected by tomorrow. The three patients
come from a neighboring village in the same district as the
three-year-old girl who died of avian influenza on March 21
(reftel). The district--Kong Pisei district in Kampong Speu
province--is about 30 miles from Phnom Penh. According to
press reports, the three individuals had handled dead
chickens before falling ill. Jean-Louis Sarthou, director
of the Pasteur Institute, told DCM today that the Ministry
of Health/WHO/Pasteur Institute investigation team was quite
concerned about the new cases.


2. Press reports indicate that an additional five people
who had contact with the three hospitalized individuals are
also being tested for avian influenza. According to Dr.
Sirenda Vong of the Pasteur Institute, seven individuals
with mild symptoms who were being monitored on Friday have
all tested negative for avian influenza and their symptoms
have disappeared.


3. Investigation team officials report being deluged with
press calls about the reported death. Due to concerns about
the safety of the affected individuals and their families,
the potential for misleading rumors, and the time and energy
involved in responding to constant inquiries, they are
maintaining a fairly tight-lipped approach. Team officials
are particularly concerned that the name of the three-year-
old who died has been leaked--or possibly sold--to the press
and has appeared in some news accounts.


4. Post's CDC office will remain in close contact with the
investigation team and is prepared to provide technical
assistance, if requested.
Mussomeli