- विज्ञापन -
Phnom Pehn: A young boy from Kampong Speu province in Cambodia has died from H5N1 bird flu, marking the fourth human fatality caused by the virus in 2025, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. The Pasteur Institute of Cambodia confirmed on May 27, 2025, that the 11-year-old patient tested positive for H5N1.
The boy resided in Srey Sampoung village, Samraong Tong district. Authorities noted that poultry—specifically chickens and ducks—near his home had become ill and died about a week before he fell sick.
Health officials are investigating how he contracted the virus and are monitoring individuals who may have come into contact with him or suspected cases, aiming to prevent further community outbreaks.
So far this year, Cambodia has reported four human H5N1 cases, all of which resulted in death, with all patients having had recent exposure to sick or deceased poultry, reports Xinhua.
H5N1 is a bird flu virus that usually spreads among poultry but can sometimes infect humans. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory issues.
The Ministry of Health urges the public to remain vigilant, avoid consuming sick or dead birds, and highlights that the bird flu remains a health threat. Since 2003, Cambodia has recorded 76 human H5N1 cases, with 47 deaths.
Since 2022, there has been a rise in outbreaks among mammals caused by H5 viruses, including H5N1, affecting land and marine animals such as seals, sea lions, foxes, bears, otters, raccoons, cats, dogs, cattle, and goats. Many of these outbreaks have gone undetected or unreported.
Most human cases have been linked to close contact with infected live or dead birds or contaminated environments like live bird markets. There have also been instances of the virus spreading from infected mammals to humans.
