Cambodia's latest bird flu outbreak a 'serious' problem - WHO
03.26.2006, 06:45 AM

PHNOM PENH (AFX) - The World Health Organization expressed 'great concern' over Cambodia's latest bird flu outbreak after three more suspected cases were hospitalised following last week's death of a child from H5N1.

'It's a great concern, it's a serious problem ... we have to take this as seriously as possible,' WHO representative Michael O'Leary told Agence France-Presse.

Three people -- one adult and two children -- are being treated for fever and respiratory problems at a hospital in the capital Phnom Penh, health officials said.

The suspected cases come from a village neighboring that of three-year-old Mon Vuthy, who died Tuesday after falling ill with the H5N1 strain of the virus.

She was the first bird flu death in Cambodia this year and the fifth since 2003.

Five other people who had contact with the suspected cases are also being tested, said Ly Sovann, head of the health ministry's department of infectious diseases.

Update I 3/27/06 3 suspected bird flu cases test negative in Cambodia