Cambodia Records Fifth Bird Flu Fatality in 2025

Cambodia has reported its fifth death linked to bird flu this year, according to official health sources. The recent case involves a 52-year-old man from eastern Svay Rieng province who passed away after contracting the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The Cambodian health ministry confirmed that the individual died on Thursday, with tests verifying infection by the virus.

The man had contact with sick or deceased poultry two days prior to falling ill. He exhibited symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing before his death at a hospital. This case follows the death of an 11-year-old boy last month, marking the fourth fatality from bird flu in Cambodia in 2025.

Primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected birds or environments high in risk, like farms or live animal markets, H5N1 infection remains uncommon among the general population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that between 2003 and 2024, Cambodia has documented a total of 43 bird flu-related deaths. Notably, there were no cases reported from 2014 to 2022, but recent years have seen an increase in infections, with four deaths in 2023 and two in 2024.

Health authorities emphasize the importance of surveillance and caution among individuals working with poultry to prevent further transmission. The ongoing occurrences highlight the need for vigilance in managing avian flu risks in Cambodia.

Source: Medical Xpress