The World Health Organization is investigating bird flu cases in Cambodia

The World Health Organization said Friday that it is investigating two human cases of bird flu in Cambodia, after an 11-year-old girl died this week and her father also tested positive for the H5N1 strain.

Cambodian health officials said Thursday that the girl’s case was the first known human infection of H5N1 in Cambodia in nine years, since 2014.

Dr. Sylvie Briand, director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention at the WHO, called the situation “worrying,” given the virus’ rapid spread among birds and the infections detected in mammals and humans.

“WHO takes the risk from this virus seriously and urges heightened vigilance from all countries,” Briand said Friday in a virtual news briefing.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Category: Science

Source: NBC Science