June 24, 2009
Source: Xinhua
Cambodia's Ministry of Health and World Health Organization issued a statement Wednesday saying it had found the first ever case of H1N1 virus.
In the joint statement, they said "Cambodia's first case of the new influenza A /H1N1 virus was confirmed by the Cambodian National Influenza Center on Tuesday June 23 2009."
It said the infected person is a 16-year-old U.S. citizen visiting the country as part of a student group, arrived in Phnom Penh on Friday and developed symptoms the following days.
Her sample was taken to Cambodian National Influenza Center after she had sought medical care at a private clinic on Monday, and the positive result was confirmed the next day.
"We found the first case on a traveler from the United States," Ly Sovan, deputy director for anti-communicable department of Cambodia's Health Ministry told Xinhua. "She is at the Calmet Hospital in Phnom Penh downtown now," he added.
The statement, however, said she is in a "stable condition and is recovering well without any complication. As per standard precautions, the other members of her group are under voluntary observation for signs of infection."
Also, in the statement, Mam Bun Heng, minister of health, said "with the virus now circulating globally, its eventual arrival in Cambodia was expected. We are pleased that the systems we have put in place have worked in identifying and isolating the case."
"The Ministry of Health, in partnership with WHO, will continue to monitor the situation very closely and keep the public well informed of any updates as they occur," the statement added.
The ministry again called on the public to practice good personal hygiene at all times to prevent the spread of Influenza A/H1N1.
Cambodia is the latest Southeast Asian nation being hit by A/H1N1 epidemic after its neighbors of Thailand and Vietnam. As of Tuesday, more than 90 countries have reported presence of the virus, affected more than 52,160 people and causing death in 231 individuals.
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