Cambodia Confirms Third A/H1N1 Death

Written by DAP NEWS -- Wednesday, 07 October 2009

(Post by CAAI News Media)

Cambodia’s Health Minister on Tuesday confirmed a third death from A/H1N1, commonly known as swine flu. Dub Sok Khunthea, a woman 7 months pregnant, died after an operation.

“The pregnant woman died after her operation as her illness condition was very serous,” Mom Bunheng told DAP News Cambodia on Tuesday. People with lung cancer, pregnancy, liver disease and conditions are more vulnerable to the virus, he added.

Dr. Chheang Ra, director of Calmette Hospital, said at a press conference on Tuesday morning that the 25-year-old woman was operated upon on October 04 in order to passing the virus to her unborn daughter.

The health minister said that the baby daughter’s health is good and hospital doctors are monitoring her. The third victim of A/H1N1 named Dub Sok Khunthea, aged 25, was rushed to the hospital on September 29 and was operated on October 04.

The second victim of A/H1N1 named Chhoun Vannthorn, aged 41, lived at Phsma Doeum Thkov, Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh.

Relatives of the second A/H1N1 victim criticized Calmette Hospital doctors’ performance, alleging doctors did not pay enough attention.

“The victim was rushed to the hospital on Friday night and on Saturday afternoon the doctor told us that the victim was infected with A/H1N1,” Chhoun Vanna, the victim’s sister told DAP News Cambodia on Tuesday. “The victim was able to speak by phone as usual, then the doctor come to ask for the relatives to pay money, but only 10 minutes following, the doctor told us that the victim had died.”

At a press conference, the health minister stressed his grief at the deaths of all victims. He called on all Cambodians to prevent the virus and to avoid crowds in infected.

The health minister said Cambodia has so far seen 120 cases of A/H1N1.

According to the Health Ministry website, Phnom Penh, Kandal, Takeo, Siem Reap, Kampng Speu, and Battambang have all seen cases.

Cambodia confirmed the first case of A/H1N1 on June 24, 2009, a student with a US study group.