The Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, UNAIDS, UNICEF and Pasteur Institute in Cambodia is investigating a number of HIV cases which have occurred among villagers from Roka village in Roka commune in Sangke district, Battambang province.

The cases were initially tested by Roka Health center and Battambang Referral Hospital laboratory between 9 to 16 December. Those samples were then send to NCHADS's laboratory and are subsequently sent to Pateur Institute in Cambodia for confirmatory testing on December 18th 2014

In late November, a 74-year-old man from Roka village in Roka commune, tested positive for HIV at the Roka Health Centre. After receiving his result, the man said he sent his grand daughter and son-in-law for testing and they also tested positive. Then the man stated he informed the other villagers that he had been receiving medical services from a private village practitioner and persuaded other villagers who had also been visiting the same practitioner to test for HIV

An investigation team from MOH's National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD (NCHADS) and University of Health Sciences (UHS) that has been in Battambang's Sangke district since 16 December has now been joined by a team from Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO, US CDC and provincial health department field team to carry out a full epidemiological investigation to determine the source, extent and chain of transmission of HIV infection.

"The Royal government of Cambodia will provide access to voluntary and confidential counseling and treatment services for all those who need it," said HE Dr. Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health.

"A completed investigation into this outbreak will be carried out with full technical assistance given by Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, UNICEF, WHO, US CDC and UNISAID. I urge everyone to stay calm and avoid listening to or spreading rumors. We should also all fully respect the privacy of the affected families and insure they do not face stigma and discrimination," said Dr. Mam Bunheng.

Voluntaryand confidential HIV testing and counseling and HIV treatment services are free of charge for anyone who wishes to know his/her status and need treatment in Cambodia.

Forfurther information please contact:

 

National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD

      Dr. Mean Chhivun, Director

      Mobile: 016830241

      e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

WHO

Dr. Masami Fujita, Medical Officer

Mobile: 012905161

      e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

UNAIDS

Ms. Marie-Odile Emond, Country Director

Mobile: 012990645

      e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mr. Saleem Muhammad, Strategic Information Adviser

Mobile: 089980957

      e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

PasteurInstituteinCambodia

Dr. Didier Fontenille

Mobile: 012802979

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

UNICEF

Dr. Etienne Poirot

Mobile: 095686602

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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