CAMBODIA/AI: THREE SUSPECTED CASES TEST NEGATIVE

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000595 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 SUSPECTED CASES TEST NEGATIVE FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA REF: A. PHNOM PENH 570 ¶B. PHNOM PENH 583 ¶1. Three persons hospitalized on March 25 with symptoms and exposure patterns consistent with avian influenza have all tested negative for the virus (ref B). Asymptomatic contacts of the hospitalized individuals also tested negative for avian influenza. Following extensive screening efforts, there have been no other confirmed cases of humans infected with avian influenza following the death of a three- year-old girl on March 21 (ref A). No additional individuals are being monitored at this time. ¶2. According to the World Health Organization, immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) tests conducted at the National Animal Health and Production Investigation Centre (NAHPIC) on ducks from the deceased girl's village revealed that approximately 30% of the specimens were infected with avian influenza. These findings indicate that the virus was circulating in the village. There have also been rumors of poultry deaths in another commune in the same district in Kampong Speu province as the affected village. Provincial Health Department and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries personnel intends to investigate. ¶3. The Ministry of Health continues to maintain an active presence in the affected district. Village Health Volunteers are leading training on recognizing the signs and symptoms of avian influenza and knowing who to contact if a possible avian influenza case is identified. The Minister for Health, Dr. Nuth Sokhom, attended the opening of one of the training sessions in order to demonstrate the government's commitment. Posters warning about the dangers of handling sick/dead poultry and emphasizing the importance of hand washing are being printed and will be distributed in the affected area. ¶4. Post's CDC office will remain in close contact with the investigation team and is prepared to provide technical assistance, if requested. ¶5. COMMENT. This incident has highlighted dramatic improvements in Cambodian avian influenza response capability in the last year. As opposed to last year when the RGC had to scramble to respond to reported cases, once this case was identified, Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, and Pasteur Institute staff worked together to quickly identify and test 43 community contacts and 17 healthcare contacts. The Pasteur Institute tested specimens from all contacts locally using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and made results available within days. The Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, and UNICEF quickly mounted an education campaign. On the other hand, communication has been difficult as some investigation team members are overwhelmed with both work and inquiries and have been difficult to reach by phone or email. At times, press leaks have gotten ahead of official dissemination of information. END COMMENT. Mussomeli