Cambodia has successfully controlled the outbreak of avian influenza (AI), with no suspected cases or death caused by H5N1 in the past two weeks, said Cambodia's National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM).

At a meeting with international counterparts in Phnom Penh on March 14, First Vice Chairman of NCDM Nhim Vanda said the timely response of relevant authorities to improve public awareness of the threat of the pandemic is the reason behind the success.

The Royal Government of Cambodia highly valued the support and effective coordination of the Japanese Government, European Union (EU) and United Nation agencies to fight AI, he noted.

However, Vanda also admitted that the pandemic can re-emerge anytime because of the unhygienic customs of poultry farmers and butchers, particularly in rural areas.

Cambodia had the highest rate of H5N1 fatality of any country in the first two months of 2013, with 8 deaths, 5 of which occurred in districts bordering Vietnam.

Earlier this month, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged relevant ministries to urgently respond to the pandemic after the alarming increase of H5N1 cases in the country.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), since its first appearance in 2003, AI has killed 365 people. Cambodia alone has recorded 30 cases with only three survivors.-VNA