Arabic version: أول حالة إنسانية لفيروس إنفلونزا الطيور H5N1 في كمبوديا

A 49-year-old man in Cambodia has tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus, marking the first human case reported in the country since 2014. The patient, who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the capital, Phnom Penh, began experiencing symptoms on February 16, 2023. Health authorities have initiated contact tracing for those who might have been in close proximity to the patient. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the situation closely but has stated that the risk of human-to-human transmission remains low. The H5N1 strain primarily affects birds but can infect humans in rare cases, often resulting from direct contact with infected poultry. The Cambodian Ministry of Health is urging the public to remain vigilant, especially in rural areas where poultry farming is prevalent. They have also advised people to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and to report any unusual bird deaths to local authorities. The last reported human case of H5N1 in Cambodia occurred in 2014 when a 7-year-old girl died after contracting the virus. The country’s health officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination for poultry and monitoring bird populations to prevent further outbreaks.