The Start of a Fateful Day

As Dr. Sreyleak Luch embarked on her morning commute through Cambodia’s bustling Mekong river delta on Feb. 8, she received alarming messages from her team about a critically ill 9-year-old boy under her care. The urgency of the situation prompted her to consider a chilling possibility: Could it be H5N1, bird flu?

 A Race Against Time

• Upon reaching the provincial hospital in Kratie, Dr. Luch wasted no time in questioning the boy’s father about any recent contact with sick poultry. His admission of consuming a dead rooster only heightened her concerns.

Challenging the Status Quo

• Despite skepticism from colleagues and the potential for backlash from government officials, Dr. Luch persisted in her belief that the boy’s condition was linked to avian influenza. She took decisive action by alerting the local public health department.

 Upholding Vigilance

• With swift coordination, a team collected a sample from the boy, Virun Roeurn, for urgent testing. Meanwhile, Virun’s parents, losing faith in the hospital’s care, demanded his transfer to Phnom Penh.

A Tragic Outcome

• Despite efforts to save him, Virun tragically succumbed to the illness during the journey. Later that evening, the National Public Health Laboratory confirmed Dr. Luch’s suspicions: Virun had fallen victim to highly pathogenic avian influenza.

A Call to Action

Dr. Sreyleak Luch’s unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth behind Virun’s illness serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of early detection and swift response in combating infectious diseases.