Monday, 6 July 2009

Swine-flu count rises to seven

Photo by: Tracey Shelton
A thermal camera used to screen passengers at Phnom Penh International Airport in this file photo


The Phnom Penh Post

Monday, 06 July 2009
CHEANG SOKHA

58-year-old woman is second Cambodian to contract A(H1N1) virus

THE Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed Cambodia's seventh case of the A(H1N1) virus, commonly known as swine flu.

A 58-year-old woman who landed at Phnom Penh International Airport on Tuesday after receiving dental treatment in Bangkok is the second Cambodian to come down with the virus.

Ly Sovann, deputy director of the Communicable Diseases Control Department at the Ministry of Health, said the woman did not exhibit any symptoms when she landed.

She went to be tested after she developed a cough and fever on Wednesday. The results came back positive the following day, and she was placed in isolation at Calmette Hospital, where she is recovering, Ly Sovann said Sunday.

The six other people who have tested positive for swine flu have all been released from Calmette, Ly Sovann said.

Tactics for prevention
In order to combat the threat of pandemic flu, Cambodia has in recent weeks established three 24-hour hotlines to inform the public about AH1N1 and other similar illnesses.

"Since the outbreak, we have provided three hotline numbers around the clock. The public can call to gain general knowledge about the flu or other diseases, learn about prevention of swine flu or report a suspected case," he said.

"Since we provided these hotlines, many people have called and asked lots of questions."

The WHO has recorded 89,921 confirmed cases of A(H1N1) worldwide since the virus was discovered in April in Mexico. There have been 382 deaths.

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