PHNOM PENH: The father of an 11-year-old Cambodian girl who died this week from bird flu has tested positive for the virus, health officials said on Friday (Feb 24).

The girl fell ill on Feb 16 with a fever, cough and sore throat, and died on Wednesday from bird flu virus H5N1, the Cambodian health ministry said in the statement.

Authorities collected samples from 12 people on Thursday who were in contact with the girl.