Rumor About Zika Virus Outbreaks in Cambodia, Denied

Phnom Penh- There is no sign of Zika virus in Cambodia until this far, even there is a rumor on social media claimed that a Cambodian young girl died because of Zika, according to the spokesman of Ministry of Health said on 11^th September 2016.

The rumor came from a Facebook account “Phai Bopha”, claimed that her sister names Van Sievmey, 16, has been infected with Zika virus and passed away recently at hospital, so Cambodian people should be aware and attentive about this case.

Ministry of Health spokesman Dr. Ly Sovann said that, after the rumor has spread rapidly on Facebook, I have checked at involved hospital but there is no sign of that case. So I considered it as an act of deception.

“Actually, some people likely to cause any troubles in Cambodia while there is an outbreak of epidemic virus around the world, such as this case I can say that it is really fake. Moreover, in Cambodia there are only 2 places that can scan Zika virus such as Pasteur Institute and Institute of Public Health Research, so if there is Zika virus really appears in Cambodia, the result will come to my department first”.

Many Cambodian people have expressed their concern about Zika virus, after it has spread to Singapore and the neighboring country, Thailand. But anyway there is no sign of Zika virus in Cambodia yet.