Finding the beauty of life in a Cambodian hospital

Ray of Light. Inside the Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom. It took years to finish but the outcome was priceless.
Angkor Wat is a breathtaking place, filled with energy.
The hospital room, near the border, within Cambodia.
We entertained ourselves with our iPods, Skullcandy, and Coelho books (lucky that I brought two!).
The swab test guy. Double surgical gloves!

CNNGo reader Ara Charissa Sam gets a spiritual boost from the unlikeliest of places -- quarantine

19 August, 2010
By Ara Charissa Sam
CNNGo

During my trip to Siem Reap, the warmth of the magical ruins of Angkor Wat enveloped me. Warmth is when you feel positive energy surround you with undeniable power. It makes you feel overwhelmingly free and safe. It nourishes your innermost thoughts and desires. But most of all, it makes you appreciate the beauty of life. Walking past the walls and carvings transported me through a realm of masterpieces from thousands of years ago. The intelligence and sophistication of the masters that conceptualized the structure radiated.

Marveling at the richness of their culture made me realize how power, might and wisdom withstood the test of time. The kings are long gone, but the artwork on the walls reaches out to visitors. With a pinch of imagination and a thirst for adventure, they come alive in a snap. Apsara dancers illuminate the adorned halls with their energy, lectures being passed on from one generation to another, and elders share inspiring thoughts and knowledge with their people.

Border crossing

After a few days of exploration, my friends and I packed our bags and left Siem Reap. As we crossed the border, one of my friends caught the flu. Since there was an AH1N1 scare, a tight clearance check was about to unfold.

I checked her temperature and felt a tinge of heat. But we thought, if only we could get through these guards everything will be fine. She can rest at the hotel in Vietnam and her temperature will surely go down.

The moment of truth; the border police came with their high-tech gadgets. They immediately started their routine, checking all of the passengers. We saw them getting closer. I was praying they'd leave and let us be. Two more steps. He placed the temperature reader in my ear. It took only a few seconds but it seemed forever. I was cleared. The doctor cleansed the gadget and did the same procedure to my friend. I saw his face -- and I knew that this was the part where we deviated from our itinerary.

Hospital bound

They transported us to a nearby hospital -- or so we assumed, we couldn’t understand what they were saying -- and no one knew how to speak English. After a few minutes, an ambulance showed up. We managed to stay calm, taking pictures, joking that it was our border limo.

It took roughly 30 minutes -- the road to the hospital was dark. We figured we were in a remote area near the border, within Cambodia. They took us into a place which by no means looked like a hospital. But it was. They confiscated our passports and pointed to us a room. We shook our heads but kept our cool. The bed was small and we had to share. No cushions. Just a thin sheet to cover the board. Paint was peeling off the wall and some of the windows were shattered.

There was a man, who was also quarantined, that tried to communicate with us. He used hand signals -- pointing and reaching out because he saw how confused we looked. He reassured us through his actions that the doctor will visit the next day. He gestured that we should accept the food he’s offering so as to regain energy. It struck us that in kindness, language wasn’t a barrier.

Warmth of a stranger

My friend and I realized how blessed we were to have felt the warmth of a stranger. He made us feel safe. A Cambodian that didn’t even know our names and where we were from, but was so hospitable and thoughtful enough to have treated us as his friend.

The next day, they transported us to a bigger hospital in Ho Chi Minh where we spent a few more days in quarantine while waiting for the test results.

We met people from Vietnam who helped us translate and understand what was happening. Such a lifesaver. They went the extra mile by making us feel at home as they shared local insights about their culture.

It was indeed an unforgettable experience, one I wouldn’t trade for anything else. We got more than we bargained for. An adventure which showed us how beautiful life really is.

And that is how you squeeze in tons of positive energy within you. So you can, in turn, share the warmth with the world.

Recommendations:

Mandalay Inn: www.mandalayinn.com
They can even customize the tour for you. Look for Kat (the manager). Their place is filled with warmth and hospitality. Getting a good tour guide is the key. Ask for Bon. He’s well read and knowledgeable. He can speak good English, too.

About the author: Ara Charissa Sam is a Filipino adventurer by heart -- in search of rich cultures and awe-inspiring tales from other countries. Her day job involves dealing with media marketing decisions within the telecommunications industry.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Strongest Man

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

PM moves to quell rumours on health

Da fowl mouth preeminister?

Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

PRIME Minister Hun Sen yesterday warned opposition politicians not to speculate about the state of his health, and declared he is fit enough to remain in office until 2028.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony in Svay Rieng province, Hun Sen lambasted “ignorant” Sam Rainsy Party officials, accusing them of concocting baseless explanations for his failure to appear at several recent public events.

He said that despite a bout of A(H1N1) influenza last month, as well as reports of complaints relating to the eye he lost in combat in 1975, he had only missed four public appearances due to health matters.

“Have you noted that the prime minister has done his daily work?” he said. “There have been no documents on my desk for more than 12 hours. Please, opposition leaders, do not be so ignorant. If they are being ignorant like this, how would they get power?”

"Who is so insolent, with a hard iron patch on his head, to dare to arrest Hun Sen?"

In his speech yesterday, Hun Sen also alleged that at an SRP meeting at 1pm on July 6, party officials spent “20 minutes and 58 seconds” discussing his health.

“When all of you were talking, I was listening to you,” he said. “I would like to inform clearly. I would like to warn you not to discuss about this.”

During the meeting, the premier said, one unnamed “lok chumteav” questioned whether Hun Sen lost his eye to a bird rather than a bullet, and another explained his absence at public events by saying he had been arrested or detained by a foreign government.

The prime minister added that his supposed detention would amount to a coup attempt, and accused the SRP of not taking action to alert the government in line with the Constitution.

“If I was arrested or detained, it means that Cambodia is having a coup,” he said, and added: “Who is so insolent, with a hard iron patch on his head, to dare to arrest Hun Sen? I want to ask – only I arrest them, but them arresting me? No way.”

Observers have speculated about the premier’s health since he was diagnosed with A(H1N1) – also known as swine flu – last month.

Hun Sen, however, said he was still fit, and that he planned to lead the government well into the next decade.

“I will not die easily,” he added. “When [the SRP’s] leader dies, I will still be alive. I have decided to serve until 2023 or 2028.... I will not stop; the party also does not allow me to stop.”

Hun Sen also predicted that a crisis within the SRP would “explode in March 2011”.

SRP spokesman Yim Sovann dismissed Hun Sen’s warnings yesterday, and denied that the party had discussed his health.

“This is his right. What he wants to say it is up to him,” he said. “But we are not interested in his health; it is his internal issue because the opposition party does not want to talk about any individual’s internal issue.”

He added: “Who is sick, who is better – it is his business, and we wish that he gets better fast.”

Hang Chhaya, executive director of the Khmer Institute for Democracy, said politicians should not allude to arrests in public speeches, saying this could intimidate and frighten the people.

“It is better that we understand each other ... and leaders should not use the words of arrest. It makes people fearful,” he said.

After Illness, Hun Sen Issues Warning to Rivals

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 19 July 2010

“I want Cambodian people to judge his speech” - Yim Sovann, SRP spokesman

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday gave only his third public address since reportedly falling ill with swine flu last month.

Speaking in front of Svay Rieng University and appearing healthy, Hun Sen warned would-be detractors that he would tightly hold onto power, and he promised to be the leader of the country in both 2013 and 2018 general elections.

Hun Sen and five cabinet members were reported to have fallen ill with the the H1N1 virus last month, causing the cancelation of several high-level meetings, including with a delegation of German diplomats.

“The opposition party has been talking about my health since my absence,” Hun Sen said. “They say that I was kept in the house or that I fled Cambodia.”

Hun Sen said this could have inferred a coup d'etat and he warned that if such an event took place, Cambodia would erupt into open violence.

“Whoever dares to commit a coup d'etat, they should have a head of iron,” he said.

Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, declined to comment on Hun Sen's statements. “I want Cambodian people to judge his speech,” he said.

Whoever arrests Hun Xen will face armed confrontation … I will stay in power until 2028: Hun Xen in swine flu delusion?

(Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Hun Xen: “Whoever arrests Hun Xen will face armed confrontation”

19 July 2010
By Leang Delux
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Click here to listen to the audio program in Khmer (MP3)

Today, PM Hun Xen expressed stern reactions against the opposition party. Hun Xen claimed that the opposition took the opportunity to meet to discuss about his health problem and the opposition would have believed that Hun Xen would be under house arrest. Such hypothetical discussions by the opposition earned Hun Xen’s reaction and clarification.

In the morning of 19 July, during the inauguration of a new building and the distribution of diplomas to students at the Svay Rieng university, Hun Xen indicated that when he was affected by swine flu a few weeks ago, leaders of the opposition party – it is understood that Hun Xen was referring to the SRP – held a meeting to discuss about forming an alliance with another opposition party. Hun Xen indicated that prior to the opposition leaders’ talk on the alliance, they discussed about his case.

Hun Xen said that he knew everything, he heard everything about what everybody talked about. Hun Xen declared that, during the meeting, some opposition officials said that he (Hun Xen) has eye problem. Some said that he (Hun Xen) was arrested and taken out of the country, while some others suspected that he was placed under house arrest. Because of all these comments, Hun Xen can no longer take them, and he has to come out to react very strongly against them because they affect his power and his duty.

Hun Xen said that the presumptions made by the opposition are nothing more than dumb presumptions, and they are merely tests that were conducted. Hun Xen responded to the opposition by saying that if the opposition suspected that he was arrested, why didn’t the opposition conduct a demonstration? Hun Xen explained that if he were to be arrested, then it would mean that it is tantamount to a military coup, then armed confrontation would take place as well. As PM, Hun Xen claimed that nobody dares arrest Hun Xen, and only Hun Xen can arrest others. At this point, Hun Xen yelled out his warning, saying: “Whoever wants to topple me illegally, they will get armed confrontation back.” Furthermore, Hun Xen, the vice-president of the CPP party, announced that he will remain in power until 2028.

Yim Sovann, SRP spokesman, was not surprised by Hun Xen’s reaction. Regarding Hun Xen’s revealing the SRP’s internal meeting – which Hun Xen claimed he knew about everything – Yim Sovann simply replied that his party is a democratic party and nothing is secret about it. He said that everybody is welcomed to attend and listen to his party meeting.

Regarding Hun Xen’s declaration that he would hold onto power until 2028, Yim Sovann said that if the people still vote to support Hun Xen, and that the vote were to be conducted freely and fairly, i.e. without cheating or buying of votes, then Hun Xen can stay as prime minister forever.

Uncle Hoon’s health status unclear

Uncle Hoon Xhen (Photo: Reuters)

10 July 2010
By Yun Samean
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Hun Xen is recovering from the swine flu which he was infected last month, but there is no news as to when he will return back to lead the country yet.

Government officials announced on 10 July that Hun Xen is cured from his swine flu infection, after suffering the disease for 11 days. However, in spite of this announcement, there is no official news providing the details of his health status yet.

Opposition officials are suspicious about Hun Xen’s health status because Hun Xen did not preside the council of Ministers meetings for two weeks already.

Hun Xen and 5 high-ranking government officials were infected with the swine flu on 25 June during a meeting of ministers. At that time, the ministry of health announced that Hun Xen was getting better already.

On Saturday, Tith Sothea, the mouthpiece of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers, said that Hun Xen is cured but he will not lead the ministers meeting yet because the council of Ministers did not set a meeting agenda yet. Tith Sothea said that he does not know about Hun Xen’s health status, but he learned from the news media that Hun Xen is getting better.

Three well wishes letters sent to Hun Xen were published by the pro-CPP Kampuchea Thmei newspaper on Saturday 10 July. The letters indicated that Hun Xen had completely recovered from his disease, but none of the letters indicated what he was inflicted with. The letter written by Mok Pechrith, Hun Xen’s personal advisor, included a well wishing to Hun Xen during his recovery.

Phay Siphan, the parrot at the Council of Minister, said on Saturday that the Council of Ministers had delayed its meeting because there was no request for meeting yet, following Hun Xen’s infection with the swine flu.

On Saturday, CPP MP Cheam Yeap said that Hun Xen has eye problems recently, but he did not provide any details on this issue. Hun Xen was injured on his left eye in April 1975. Cheam Yeap said that if Hun Xen has health problems and cannot accomplish his duty, then according to the law, Sar Kheng, the minister of Interior, will act in his stead, but Hun Xen has the rights to choose another minister to replace him also.

On Saturday, Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party, said that the government should pursue its work as usual, it should not cancel meetings just because the prime minister is sick. He added that Cambodia should abandon the culture of having only one individual leading the country. Cambodia must set up a responsible government infrastructure and pursue government work if the leader is disabled or is ill.

The CPP announced during its 59th anniversary held on 28 June, that it supported Hun Xen’s candidacy to the premiership in the forthcoming 2013 election. Hun Xen was not present at this anniversary because he was then infected by the swine flu.

Hun Xen and His Comrades infected by A/H1N1

CPP ministers cursed blessed with Swine flu: Hun Xen, Tao Xeng Huor, Chhay Than

June 30, 2010
Written by Sokheoun Pang
Originally posted at http://sokheounpang.wordpress.com

There are many news reported about Hun Xen included his comrades infected by swine flu. You can read some of them here: Sacrava, Xinhua, and AP.

NOTE: I just wonder how these stooges get infected by the swine flu for they always stay in the safe places in both priavte and public affairs. As we know no ordinary people, journalists, etc., are allowed to approach them before getting through their thousands of personal bodyguards.

Pls figure it out whether it is a lie to draw media and public attention away from the present hot issues like the injustice of the defamation case brought by him (Hun Xen) against MP Mu Sochua, the border issues in Takeo and Kampong Cham which recently brought to the front page again by the SRP´s MPs. Or they get infected because they had sneaked away from their surrounding sycophants during their missions to have fun around somewhere?

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: $$$$$$ Flu

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

OK, who on KI-Media placed the swine flu curse on Hun Xen? Come on, fess up!

CPP ministers cursed blessed with Swine flu: Hun Xen, Tao Xeng Huor, Chhay Than

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen infected with A/H1N1

June 30, 2010
Xinhua

Cambodian government announced Tuesday that Prime Minister Hun Sen was found infected with A/H1N1 virus last Friday.

In a statement released Tuesday, Mam Bunheng, minister of health said the prime minister was found infected with A/H1N1 after the weekly Cabinet meeting that took place last Friday.

But he said the prime minister's health condition returns to normal after he was well treated by Cambodian eminent doctors.

According to the statement, other three senior government officials and two civil servants were found infected with the same disease including Yim Chhay Ly, deputy prime minister, and senior ministers Tao Seng Hour and Chhay Than.

The other two are civil servants.

According to ministry of health, to date, there have been 591 cases of A/H1N1, and six people have died since the outbreak of the virus last year.

Cambodian PM and 3 ministers treated for swine flu [-Hopefully they would NOT recover]

Wednesday, June 30, 2010
By SOPHENG CHEANG (AP)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and three other Cabinet ministers have contracted swine flu and the premier is recovering after several days of medical care, the health ministry said Tuesday.

Hun Sen, 59, required "urgent treatment" after Friday's weekly Cabinet meeting, the Public Health Ministry said in a brief statement released late Tuesday.

"After receiving treatment from medical specialists, the health of Prime Minister Hun Sen is back to normal," the statement said.

The prime minister publicly mentioned last week he had come down with fever and flu-like symptoms, and he was absent from the 59th anniversary of his ruling Cambodian People's Party on Monday.

"Prime Minister Hun Sen has canceled some of his schedule because of his health," said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith.

He said Hun Sen was still receiving medical attention but gave no details.

The statement also said that Yim Chhay Ly, one of several deputy prime ministers, and two other Cabinet-level ministers — Chhay Than and Tao Senghour — had caught the H1N1 virus. It did not give details about their condition.

At least six Cambodians have died from swine flu and at least 600 have contracted it since the virus was first detected in the country last June.

Hun Sen has been at the center of the country's politics since 1985, when he became the world's youngest prime minister at age 33. He has held or shared the top job ever since, bullying and outfoxing his opponents to stay in power.

Monkeys affected by Swine flu? Was it because they all share the same swine cesspit?

Cambodian PM infected with swine flu: government

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
AFP

PHNOM PENH — Cambodian premier Hun Sen and several top officials have been infected with swine flu, a government spokesman said Tuesday.

"I can confirm he and several ministers have tested positive with the virus," spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP, while a letter from health minister Mam Bunheng said the prime minister was now recovering.

The premier was found to be carrying the A(H1N1) virus after his weekly cabinet meeting on Friday and medics subsequently tested all ministers and officials attending the meeting, according to the letter.

It said tests found Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly, two senior ministers and two officials were also infected with the virus and are now being treated carefully by doctors, although it did not give their whereabouts.

"After being treated carefully by Cambodian doctors, the Prime Minister's health is returning to normal," the letter said, adding that Hun Sen had failed to attend his ruling party's anniversary and cancelled other appointments.

The World Health Organisation said earlier this month that 18,156 people had died from swine flu, a year after the influenza was declared a pandemic, but that the virus was now "globally less active".

In Cambodia six people have died from the virus and another 591 have been infected, according to the country's health ministry.

300,000 H1N1 Vaccinations Underway

By Win Thida, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 April 2010

Health officials are wrapping up an initial round of vaccinations against the H1N1 virus, administering hundreds of thousands of shots in Phnom Penh and three provinces since March 24.

Officials said they expect to give out 300,000 shots in the capital and the provinces of Kandal, Kampong Cham and Kampng Chhnang.

H1N1, sometimes called swine flu, has killed six Cambodians since its onset.

The vaccinations, which began March 24, are the first portion of an estimated 1.5 million doses, provided by the French government and aimed mainly at children and pregnant women.

“The vaccinations will begin again from May to July to vaccinate people in 20 [remaining] provinces,” Sun Chan Soeun, director of the national vaccination program, said.

300,000 H1N1 Vaccinations Underway

By Win Thida, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 April 2010

Health officials are wrapping up an initial round of vaccinations against the H1N1 virus, administering hundreds of thousands of shots in Phnom Penh and three provinces since March 24.

Officials said they expect to give out 300,000 shots in the capital and the provinces of Kandal, Kampong Cham and Kampng Chhnang.

H1N1, sometimes called swine flu, has killed six Cambodians since its onset.

The vaccinations, which began March 24, are the first portion of an estimated 1.5 million doses, provided by the French government and aimed mainly at children and pregnant women.

“The vaccinations will begin again from May to July to vaccinate people in 20 [remaining] provinces,” Sun Chan Soeun, director of the national vaccination program, said.

Hundreds Get Flu Vaccine at US Temple

By Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Original report from Maryland
14 January 2010

Hundreds of families received free H1N1 vaccines at a Buddhist temple in Maryland on Sunday, hoping to strengthen their immune response to the disease.

“This is a peril,” a local resident, Sara, said of the virus, sometimes called swine flu, which has been labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

“We have no immunity to this virus at all, and I don’t want it,” said Sara, who joined others at the Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Silver Spring. “I definitely need a vaccine.”

The disease killed more than 1,400 Americans between Aug. 30 and Dec. 5, and more than 200 countries had reported the disease by then, according to statistics at the University of Southern California.

The US Centers for Disease Control recommends vaccines along with hygienic practices to prevent person-to-person spread of the virus.

Wu Samnang, an official at the Montgomery Country Health Department, said the agency had 500 doses available to the general public, “and to everyone who wants it.”

“The typical season for influenza is the winter months, and the best way to prevent illness is to be vaccinated,” she said. “There is ample vaccine available, and I urge all residents to get vaccinated.”

Tun Sovann, president of the Cambodian Buddhist Society, requested the vaccine for members of the temple, such as monks and nuns.

The vaccine distribution began at 10 am, “but some folks braved the cold weather in line at 9 am before the doors opened.”

Amy Cole, a nurse at the Shady Grove Hospital, said she had received word through her hospital the distribution was looking for volunteers.

“I think it is a great thing, and I’m willing to come out and help,” she said.

Mary Bethel, a nurse from Washington Adventist Hospital, said the priority vaccines had already been given out, allowing for shots for the general public.

Cambodia Battling Diseases on Two Fronts

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
04 January 2010

Cambodia is facing threats from both the H1N1 virus and the avian influenza, health officials warned Monday, announcing that another man fell ill with bird flu in December.

December’s infection brings the total bird flu cases in humans to nine, with seven killed from the disease since in first appeared in 2004.

The most recent case, in Kampong Cham province, was accompanied by the deaths of 143 chickens. (Testing on two of two samples showed positive results for avian influenza.)

Meanwhile, H1N1, sometimes called swine flu, has killed six people and infected more than 500, officials said.

“We have found, every week, two, three or five new cases for H1N1,” said Ly Sovann, deputy director of the Ministry of Health’s communicable disease department. “On Dec. 16, we found a new [bird flu] case in Kampong Cham province, but he has not died.”

“Even though there are a small number of cases of human contamination, we are still worried about these diseases,” he said.

World Health Organization health specialist Nima Asgary confirmed the new case of bird flu, saying Cambodia was now facing infections of both viruses.

However, the H1N1 virus was considered less dangerous than bird flu, he said.

Ly Sovann recommended that Cambodians maintain good hygienic practices, including washing of hands and covering of mouth and nose while coughing, to prevent the spread of H1N1.

He also warned against selling or eating already-dead poultry, to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Cambodian A/H1N1 death case rises to 6

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has confirmed another death case of influenza A/H1N1, bringing the total number to six, official news agency AKP reported on Friday.

The new death case has been found on an 18-month baby living in Battambang province, said Ly Sovann, deputy director of the communicable diseases control department of the Health Ministry.

As of Dec. 17, he said, the country's total number of infected cases of A/H1N1 has increased to 531, including 44 new cases during this week.

Dr. Ly Sovann called on people to be more careful and to protect themselves from this deadly pandemic.

Cambodia reports 480 cases of A/H1N1 flu, 5 die

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government said on Monday that the total of influenza A/H1N1 disease in the country has reached 480 cases with five deaths.

Ly Sovann, deputy director of the communicable disease control department of Ministry of Health said that as of today, five Cambodians have died of A/H1N1 flu disease and the total cases reach at 480.

In October, the government announced that four peopled died of the disease and 237 cases were confirmed.

The infected cases are from 13 out of the country's 24 provinces and cities across the country.

Cambodia's Ministry of Health and WHO have continued their efforts in advising people around the country to protect themselves and the families, by saying each individual should cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of tissue in a bin; wash hands regularly with soap and hot water; do not spit in public; and avoid close contact with sick people.

They also advised that for immediate treatment of the disease, the sick person shall drink lots of liquids; rest and paracetamol to reduce fever and muscle aches.

H1N1 Virus Claims Fifth Cambodian

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
26 November 2009

A fifth person in Cambodia has died from the H1N1 virus, sometimes called swine flu, health authorities said Thursday.

The victim, a 20-year-old man from Phnom Penh, succumbed late last week after a stay at Calmette hospital, Sok Touch, director of the Ministry of Health’s communicable disease department, told reporters.

The total number of cases of the disease, which is considered a global epidemic, rose to 472, up from 444 cases last week.

The disease has spread across 13 provinces and cities so far: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kandal, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Battambang, Kampong Chnang, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Mondolkiri, Kampot, Prey Veng and Banteay Meanchey.

The Ministry of Health will receive 300,000 doses of flu vaccine from the World Health Organization, to combat the spread of the virus at the end of this month, officials said.

Health experts continue to warn people to avoid crowded places if they have flu-like symptoms, including fever of 38 degrees Celsius, a sore throat, headaches, muscle aches and lethargy.

Only patients with severe cases of H1N1 will be hospitalized.

Death toll of A/H1N1 flu in Cambodia increases to 5

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of A/H1N1 flu in Cambodia has increased to five and the virus infected rate topped 28 cases for one week, official of the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

"The fifth person who died of the flu late last week is a 20 year-old Khmer man," Ly Sovan, deputy director of the communicable control department of Health Ministry told Xinhua by phone.

He could not elaborate in detail for fatality case. But he said that the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Cambodia are 472, up from 444 cases last week. It spreads in 13 provinces and city in the country including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kandal, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Mondul Kiri, Kampot, Prey Veng and Banteay Mean Chey provinces.

According to a report from the Cambodian Heath Ministry, the ministry will receive 300,000 doses of A/H1N1 flu vaccine by the end of November from the World Health Organization.

Cambodia to receive flu vaccination late this year: health official

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Health Ministry on Friday said that it will receive the vaccination for A/H1N1 flu from the World Health Organization (WHO) at the end of this year.

"We will receive the vaccination from the WHO late this year after we have appealed for help from other countries and partners," said Ly Sovan, deputy director for the communicable control department of Health Ministry.

"So far, we have not known clear information about the amount of the vaccination that we will get from the WHO," he said, adding that "when we have it, we will consider with our experts about injecting vaccination for people."

Ly Sovan said that up to now, Cambodia has 313 cases of the flu and four people were killed by the virus, including a pregnant woman.