A two-year-old girl from the Cambodian southwestern province of Kampot has died of H5N1 bird flu, bringing the number of fatal cases to four so far this year.

A joint statement from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Cambodian Health Ministry released on March 17 said that the girl died on March 14, a day after being admitted to Kantha Bopha children’s hospital with symptoms including a fever, cough and shortness of breath.

According to Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng, bird flu remains a serious threat to the health of all Cambodians and children seem to be most vulnerable and are at high risk.

He urged parents to keep children away from sick or dead poultry, making sure their children wash their hands with soap and water after any contact with poultry.

H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, the WHO said.

The virus was first identified in Cambodia 10 years ago. To date, the country has reported 56 human cases of the virus, including 37 deaths.-VNA