Young Cambodian boy infected with H5N1 bird flu

By Web Desk 09-05-2025 05:52:36 PM 24 views

A three-year-and-six-month-old boy from Kratie province in northeastern Cambodia has tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, marking the third confirmed case in the country this year, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday.

The child was admitted to a hospital in critical condition, suffering from fever, cough, and dyspnea (shortness of breath). He is currently receiving intensive medical care from a dedicated team of doctors, the ministry's statement revealed.

Health officials suspect that the infection originated from direct contact with infected poultry. The boy's family reportedly raises chickens, and a number of their birds had either died or shown signs of illness before the child fell sick. The family had also cooked and consumed some of the dead poultry, the statement added.

Authorities are now investigating the source of the infection and conducting screenings for potential cases among those who have been in close contact with the patient to prevent further spread in the community.

Of the three confirmed H5N1 cases in Cambodia this year, two have resulted in fatalities. In all reported cases, patients had a history of direct exposure to sick or deceased poultry, according to Xinhua news agency.