H5N1 virus (green) under a microscope
Sheet Khmer Times On January 11, citing a statement from the Cambodian Ministry of Health, a young man in Kampong Cham province had just died from H5N1 bird flu, becoming the first death due to this virus infection in 2025.
“Test results from the National Institute of Public Health showed that on January 9, this patient was positive for the H5N1 virus. Although our team of doctors provided intensive care, the patient died on January 10 due to severe illness, with symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty breathing,” according to a statement about the unidentified 28-year-old patient.
The above patient lives in village 22, Chamkar Andoung commune, Chamkar Leu district in Kampong Cham. The Cambodian Ministry of Health said the patient raised chickens and cooked sick chicken meat to eat.
Health authorities are investigating the source of infection and examining suspected cases and people who have come into contact with the patient to avoid an outbreak of bird flu in the community.
H5N1 bird flu is a type of flu that usually spreads between sick birds, but can sometimes spread from birds to humans. Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, runny nose and severe respiratory illness.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health calls on people to be more vigilant and not eat sick or dead poultry, as bird flu still poses a threat to people’s health. According to official data, from 2003 until now there have been 73 cases of H5N1 influenza infection in humans, including 44 deaths in Cambodia.
