GENEVA, Feb 4 (AFP) - The results of tests carried out on a young Cambodian woman suspected of having died of bird flu are expected to be released sometime before Monday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.
The 25 year-old victim lived with her family in the southern Cambodian province of Kampot, which borders Vietnam where the virus has claimed 33 lives since the end of 2003.
The dead woman had gone to Vietnam to seek treatment and died on January 30 at the southern Kien Giang provincial hospital.
Cambodia officially considers the woman's death a "suspect" case, as they await official word confirming the diagnosis by the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City.
"The Cambodian case has been reported to us. Lab tests are under way and the final results are expected by Monday," said WHO spokeswoman Christine McNab.
Asked about a request by Vietnam for international help to battle a worsening bird flu epidemic and to prepare a plan to tackle the killer disease, McNab said the WHO was considering it.
"We shall see what is requested specifically," she said.
She added that it was the WHO's view that there would be more human cases of bird flu in the future and she recommended that precautions be taken during contact with chickens and ducks.
Agriculture Minister Cao Duc Phat sent a letter late Wednesday to the WHO and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation asking for the assistance.
The avian influenza was "spreading very quickly in the country", the minister said.
02/04/2005 20:36 GMT - AFP