The U.S. government is supporting efforts to reduce human exposure to avian influenza in Cambodia through the activities and technical expertise of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Departments of Agriculture, Defense and State. Since 2005, the U.S. government has provided approximately $9 million to Cambodia in this endeavor.

A cartoon character called Super Chicken is an important element of the nationwide communications campaign organized by the Academy for Educational Development on behalf of USAID. Originally developed in Cambodia in 2005, "Super Moan" (pronounced Mo-ahn), as he is known there, is a broad-breasted, red-caped rooster. Through televised public service announcements, posters, booklets and in costumed form at public events, the rooster teaches Cambodians how to recognize avian influenza and prevent its spread.

Super Moan has been so effective that the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture adopted him as the national avian influenza emblem. His popularity and effectiveness has been recognized beyond Cambodia's borders. Laos adopted a slightly modified Super Chicken character for its national program in 2006. Countries as far away as Africa are also interested.

At a recent press event, U.S. Ambassador Joseph A. Mussomeli said, "The death of a young girl in Cambodia from the H5N1 virus last month serves to remind us that we have not yet contained bird flu here.