25 Jul 2025

Cambodia confirms 13th human H5N1 avian influenza case of 2025

Child infected with H5N1 after contact with dead poultry; government intensifies health response amid rising avian influenza cases.

Isa Tan

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Cambodia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the 13th human case of H5N1 avian influenza on July 22. The victim, a 6-year-old boy from Bos Russey village in Tbong Khmum province, is the 8th human infection since early June.

The child is currently receiving intensive medical care after showing symptoms.

Domestic poultry contact

Health officials revealed that chickens in the area where the boy live had been falling ill throughout July.

Nearly 100 dead birds were found just 100 meters way from the boy’s home. He reportedly brought one dead chicken to his grandmother to cook, raising concerns over direct exposure.

The Ministry’s emergency response teams are investigating the outbreak. They are working with agricultural authorities and local leaders to trace transmissions sources in both animals and humans.

Urged vigilance

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Authorities continue to urge citizens to remain vigilant, especially those who may have handled sick or dead birds. Anyone with flu-like symptoms should immediately seek medical attention and avoid crowded places.

H5N1 is known to circulate in Cambodia’s poultry population, and most human infections involve direct contact with birds or contaminated areas.

Cambodians who have been infected in recent years developed serious or fatal illness. Several of the latest human cases involve a reassortant virus—combining an older strain (clade 2.3.2.1e), which has circulated locally since 2014, with a newer global strain (clade 2.3.4.4b) known to cause outbreaks in birds and humans internationally.

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