#18,827
It's been just over a week since the last case was reported by Cambodia, and the summer surge in cases continues with the 12th case reported since late May (and 31st since this resurgence began in early 2023).
Unlike H5N1 cases reported in the United States - which are due to a milder clade 2.3.4.4b - recent Cambodian cases have been caused by a new reassortment of an older clade of the H5N1 virus (recently renamed 2.3.2.1e) - which appears to be spreading rapidly through both wild birds and local poultry.
This morning the Cambodia MOH posted an announcement on their Facebook page on another H5N1 case - this time from Takeo Province - involving a 6 year old child who is reportedly in intensive care reportedly being exposed to sick or dead chickens.
Kingdom of Cambodia, Nation, Religion, KingMinistry of HealthPress ReleaseCases of bird flu in 6-year-old girlsThe Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia would like to inform the public that there is another case of bird flu in a 6-year-old girl who was confirmed positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus by the National Institute of Public Health on August 5, 2025. The patient lives in Prey Mok village, Sre Nong commune, Tram Kak district, Takeo province. He has symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing.The patient is currently undergoing rescue efforts with the attention of doctors. According to the survey, a month ago, in the village, there were nearly a thousand sick and dead chickens. At the children's house, during the 20 days, there were 30 sick and dead chickens in a row, and the child's mother brought the dead chickens to cook before the day the children started to get sick.The Ministry of Health's national and sub-national emergency response teams have been working closely with provincial agriculture departments and local authorities to actively investigate the outbreak of bird flu and respond to methods and technical protocols, identify sources of transmission in both animals and humans, and identify suspected and affected cases in the community.The Ministry of Health would like to remind all citizens to be careful of bird flu because H5N1 bird flu continues to threaten the health of our people, and also to inform you if you have a fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath and have a history of contact with sick or dead chickens during the 14 days before the onset of symptoms and people do not go to the meeting. Seek medical treatment at a nearby health center or hospital immediately to avoid delays, leading to a higher risk of eventual death.Transmission: H5N1 bird flu is a flu virus that is usually transmitted from sick birds to other birds, but can sometimes be transmitted from birds to humans through close contact with sick or dead birds. Avian influenza in humans is a serious disease that requires timely hospitalization. Although it is not easily transmitted from person to person, if it can metabolize it can be as contagious as the seasonal flu.Address: Lot 80, Samdech Pen Nuth Street (289)Phone: (+855) 23 885 970Sangkat Boeung Kak II, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom PenhEmail: info@moh.gov.khWebsite: www.moh.gov.khTelegram: t.me/MOHCambodia
As we discussed a month ago, in Cambodia: Food Insecurity, Food Safety & H5N1 - despite repeated warnings to the public not to prepare or cook sick/dead poultry - scarce resources and hunger can sometimes drive people to take risks.
Given the frequent contacts reported with sick or dead poultry, there is currently no evidence to suggest human-to-human transmission of the virus.
While we continue to focus on clade 2.3.4.4b H5 viruses in the United States, this case reminds us that there are many other iterations of HPAI H5 viruses circulating around the globe - with new ones emerging at an increasing rate - each on their own evolutionary trajectory.
