The Ministry of Health confirmed on Feb. 25 the death of a 15-year-old girl as a result of contamination with the avian influenza H5N1 virus. 

According to the investigation conducted among the friends and family of the victim who lived in the village of Por Mrenh in Prey Veng province’s Kanh Chriech district, she would have been in contact with dead chicken given to her family and cooked to be eaten.

In early July 2024, a similar case of contamination due to contact with dead animals meant to be eaten had affected a 5-year-old girl in Takeo Province but fortunately without resulting in a fatal outcome.

Following this case, which was the seventh registered in the country during January through July, the Ministry of Health had issued a message to remind people “to always pay attention to bird flu [and to take] preventive measures: wash your hands often with soap and water before eating and after contact with birds.”

The death that took place a few days ago shows that this prevention message did not reach people in the village of Prey Veng province where the young victim was living.     

Consideration needs to be given to this slippage and the reasons why.

Is it that it simply was not heard? Or was it misunderstood? Was it believed that, once the animals were dead, the virus died with them and the animals could be handled without risk in order to be eaten?    

The investigation by the authorities must not be limited to identifying the source of the contamination in order to contain it. If that investigation does not enable to understand the flaws in the transmission of prevention messages in order to correct them, it will contribute nothing from which to learn regarding public health management.