The US government has granted Cambodia $5 million to help combat bird flu, a disease that has claimed seven lives in the country since 2005.

"USAID will use the $5 million to help the [government] to increase its capacity to strengthen human and animal surveillance systems; build disease outbreak response capacity; improve laboratory diagnostic capacity; and fund national Avian Influence public awareness and communications campaigns," the embassy said.

Ouch Borith, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Scot Covert, Acting USAID Mission Director, signed on behalf of their governments, the embassy said.