H5N1 avian influenza: 6th case of the year in Cambodia
The Cambodia Ministry of Health reports an additional human H5N1 avian avian influenza case in a 52-year-old man from Prasat village, Por Reach commune, Svay Chrum district, Svay Rieng province.
Authorities say despite the care and resuscitation provided by the medical team, the patient died on June 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. due to a serious condition including fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Investigations revealed that the patient had handled and been in contact with sick and dead chickens 2 days before the patient became ill.
This is the sixth human H5N1 avian influenza case in 2025 in Cambodia, and the fifth death.
According to the World Health Organization, H5N1 is one of several influenza viruses that causes a highly infectious respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Infections in mammals, including humans, have also been documented.
H5N1 influenza virus infection can cause a range of diseases in humans, from mild to severe and in some cases, it can even be fatal. Symptoms reported have primarily been respiratory, but conjunctivitis and other non-respiratory symptoms have also been reported. There have also been a few detections of A(H5N1) virus in persons who were exposed to infected animals or their environments but who did not show any symptoms.
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Almost all cases of H5N1 virus infection in people have been associated with close contact with infected live or dead birds, or H5N1-contaminated environments, for example live bird markets. There have been some instances of spread from infected mammals to humans as well. While there may have been some cases that were not detected, the virus does not seem to easily infect humans or spread from person to person, based on the current knowledge and understanding.
Since 2003, about 900 human cases have been reported globally, with approximately half the cases being fatal.