PHNOM PENH, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — Cambodian health authorities confirmed the country’s first case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) this year, involving a 30-year-vintage man from Kampot province. The Ministry of Health announced Saturday that the man, from Tuek Chhou district’s Meanrith village, had fully recovered and returned home after receiving intensive care.
The patient initially presented with symptoms of fever, cough and abdominal pain, according to the Ministry’s statement. Investigations revealed the presence of dead chickens at the man’s residence, and authorities determined that the victim had consumed cooked chicken three days prior to becoming ill.
Health officials are currently working to determine the source of the infection and are actively investigating potential additional cases and contacts within the community to prevent further spread. The Ministry of Health has distributed Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, to individuals who had close contact with the infected man.
This case occurs amid a broader resurgence of H5N1 avian influenza in Cambodia. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 11 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with the virus between January 1 and July 1, 2025, with an unusual spike of seven cases reported in June. Since the re-emergence of human H5N1 infections in Cambodia in 2023, a total of 27 cases have been reported, resulting in 12 fatalities, giving a case fatality ratio of 44%.
The WHO notes that avian influenza A(H5N1) is currently circulating in wild birds, poultry, and some mammals globally, with occasional human infections occurring following exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments. The majority of cases in Cambodia have involved exposure to sick poultry, often those raised in backyard settings.
A recent case reported by the Cambodian Ministry of Health on July 3, 2025, involved a 5-year-old boy from Kampot province also hospitalized in intensive care after contact with sick chickens. His family owned a flock of 40 chickens, some of which were exhibiting signs of illness or had died. This case, along with the earlier case reported today, highlights the ongoing risk of transmission from poultry to humans.
According to a report from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), local health departments are facing increasing workforce strains, potentially impacting their ability to respond effectively to outbreaks like this one.
The Ministry of Health continues to urge citizens to remain vigilant regarding avian influenza, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the H5N1 virus. Further investigations are underway to understand the evolving dynamics of the virus, including the circulation of a new reassortant strain containing genes from both older Cambodian clades and the global 2.3.4.4b clade.