Bird Flu Symptoms: Three Cases Reported Leaves Two Dead; 8-Month-Old Baby Treated for H5N1; WHO Facts on Avian Influenza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that most avian influenza virus, also known as bird flu or H5N1, do not affect humans, however it has struck five.

The WHO and Cambodia's health ministry has confirmed three new cases of the bird flu, and two of them were fatal. The Cambodian bird flu cases have reportedly taken place between the first three weeks of January.

Of the three affected, a 15-year-old girl and a 35-year-old man died after being hospitalized by the avian flu.

According to the report, an eight-month-old boy was treated and has survived.

The Southeast Asian country has also reported three people with the bird flu last year. The three have died.

According to WHO, some key facts about the avian flu is it is an infectious viral disease among birds, potential pandemic concerns since it affects poultry and as a  result effect global economies and international trade, and controlling the disease in animals is the first step in decreasing risks among humans.

"Evidence suggests that some antiviral drugs, notably oseltamivir, can reduce the duration of viral replication and improve prospects of survival," says the WHO.

WHO, noting that it is rare for humans to get the virus, it can occur when having "direct contact or indirect exposure" to infected poultry, either dead or alive.

"Controlling circulation of the H5N1 virus in poultry is essential to reducing the risk of human infection," the WHO added. "Given the persistence of the H5N1 virus in some poultry populations, control will require long-term commitments from countries and strong coordination between animal and public health authorities."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "The reported signs and  symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from eye infections (conjunctivitis) to influenza-like illness symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) to severe respiratory illness (e.g. pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia) sometimes accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and neurologic changes."