With the increasing number of A(H1N1) influenza cases in Southeast Asia, and the spread of influenza infliction in Thailand, the Ministry of Health has asked all Cambodian people to delay travel to and from Thailand in order to avoid to contract swine flu virus.

It was noticed that a large number of A(H1N1) individuals in Cambodia tracing their travel paths through Thailand. So far, there are 17 persons inflicted swine flu in Cambodia, including 3 Cambodians and 14 foreigners.

According to the ministry statement, those who must across the border should avoid crowded places and people suffering from flu-like symptoms, and adding that travelers should also wash their hands frequently with soap and fill out a required medical from upon returning to Cambodia.

Dr Ly Sovann, deputy director of the Center for Disease Control at the Health Ministry, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that now it is not a serious situation yet in Cambodia and we are continuing to check on suspected cases. He added that it’s fine if you are just traveling through Thailand, but not if you are staying there.

Thai health officials said that confirmed swine flu virus cases has risen to 6,776 Tuesday, of which some 35 were under close observation, with seven listed as being in a serious condition, according to Reuters.

Awareness campaign over the hazards of influenza virus inflection to Cambodians living along Thai-Cambodian border has been conducted by the government. Those provinces targeted are Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddor Meanchey provinces.

The government will spend the amount of between $25,000 to $50,000 in the three northwest provinces to educate villagers on how to protect themselves from inflicting H1N1 virus and prevent its spread. In Addition, the posters, brochures will be distributed to rural areas and reached out to students as well.

“The government ordered to educate the villagers along the border first,” adding that “recently NCDM’s officials use to educate the villagers in Prey Veng, Kompong Speu and Svay Reing and now the government announced in public to educate the villagers along the border with Thailand,” said Peov Samy, National Committee for Disaster Management Secretary-General, was quoted by the Daily as saying.

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