Cambodia reports 1st death caused by bird flu in new year

ISTANBUL

Cambodia confirmed on Thursday the first death caused by the bird flu in the new year.

The country's health ministry announced the death of a 28-year-old man due to H5N1 avian influenza. The poultry farmer is thought to have contracted the virus by eating an infected bird.

Authorities are investigating the source of the infection and have warned the public to avoid eating sick or dead poultry.

H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, and its symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory illness.

Cambodia has reported 73 cases of H5N1 since 2003, with 44 deaths.

Separately, five reovirus cases were reported in Bangladesh on Friday.

All of the five cases have recovered and returned home after treatment.

The director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IECDR) said the virus is transmitted through coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms include respiratory issues, fever, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia or encephalitis (brain inflammation).