(Provides quote from WHO and element on testing)
By Jennifer Rigby
LONDON, Feb 24 (Reuters) – The World Well being Group is working with the Cambodian authorities after two confirmed human circumstances of H5N1 chook flu have been discovered within the nation amongst one household.
Describing the state of affairs as “worrying” as a result of current rise in circumstances in birds and mammals, Dr Sylvie Briand, the director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, informed reporters in a digital briefing that WHO was reviewing its world danger evaluation in gentle of the current developments.
The U.N. well being company final assessed the danger to people from avian flu as low earlier this month.
On Thursday, the Cambodian authorities reported the dying of an 11-year previous woman attributable to H5N1, and commenced testing 12 of her contacts. Her father, who had been displaying signs, has additionally examined constructive for the virus.
“The worldwide H5N1 state of affairs is worrying given the huge unfold of the virus in birds all over the world and the growing reviews of circumstances in mammals together with people,” mentioned Briand.
“WHO takes the danger from this virus critically and urges heightened vigilance from all nations.”
Briand mentioned it was not but clear whether or not there had been any human-to-human transmission or if the 2 circumstances have been as a result of “identical environmental situations”, seemingly shut contact with contaminated birds or different animals. (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; enhancing by Jon Boyle and Jason Neely)