Phnom Penh, July 6 (IANS) At least 56 children have been killed by an unknown disease in Cambodia in the past three months, the ministry of health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Friday.
Preliminary findings identified 74 infected people who were hospitalised from April to July 5, Xinhua reported citing a joint statement from the ministry and the WHO.
Of these, 57 cases including 56 deaths, showed a “common syndrome of fever, respiratory and neurological signs”, which are now being investigated.
Most of the children were under three years old, and from the southern and central parts of the country.
Samples tested were found negative for H5Nl and other influenza viruses, SARS and Nipah, the statement said.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng said his ministry is investigating the cause of the disease, with special attention on dengue, hand-foot-mouth disease and Chikungunya.
