Cambodia has reported its 12th case of H5N1 avian influenza this year, as confirmed by the country’s health ministry. The latest case involves a 5-year-old boy from Kampot province, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), citing a translated update shared on Facebook.
Also known as bird flu, H5N1 is a highly infectious virus primarily found in birds. Although human infections are rare, they are often severe and can be fatal. Transmission typically occurs through close contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments.
H5N1 begins with common flu-like symptoms, making early detection difficult:
Fever
Cough
Body aches
Sore throat
Runny nose
However, symptoms can rapidly worsen and may include:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Fatigue
Vomiting or diarrhea
Confusion, seizures, or coma
The virus tends to aggressively target the lungs, often leading to pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Symptoms may appear 2 to 8 days after exposure. Anyone who has recently interacted with birds or visited live poultry markets should be vigilant, even if initial symptoms are mild.
