Cambodian Man Dies from Bird Flu After Consuming Sick Chickens

A 28-year-old man from Cambodia’s Kampong Cham province has died from avian influenza H5N1, the country’s Ministry of Health confirmed on Friday. The man, who had been experiencing severe symptoms including fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, passed away after testing positive for the virus on Thursday.

Authorities revealed that the man had raised poultry at his home and consumed chickens that were already sick, which likely led to the infection. Health officials are now investigating the source of the virus and conducting community screenings to identify any potential cases.

This marks the latest fatality in Cambodia attributed to bird flu. In 2023, at least three people, including a two-year-old girl, died from H5N1 in the country. Globally, the virus first emerged in 1996 and has since caused significant health and economic impacts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns over gaps in global surveillance of avian influenza, urging countries to enhance monitoring and reporting of cases in both humans and animals.

Since late 2021, the world has faced its most severe outbreak of bird flu, with tens of millions of domestic poultry culled across Europe, the Americas, and other regions to contain the spread. The virus has also led to the deaths of thousands of wild birds globally, raising fears of further transmission to humans.

The Cambodian health ministry has called on citizens to remain vigilant, stressing that H5N1 continues to pose a significant health threat.