Daijiworld Media Network – Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Jul 5: Cambodia has reported its 12th human case of H5N1 bird flu this year, involving a 5-year-old boy from Kampot province, according to a translated statement shared by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).

H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, primarily spreads from infected birds to humans through close contact. Though human cases are rare, the virus can cause serious illness and even death. In Cambodia, growing concern surrounds the rising number of infections, especially in rural provinces.

Initial symptoms of H5N1 often resemble the seasonal flu, making it harder to detect early. However, the illness can quickly progress to severe respiratory distress, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and in some cases, confusion or coma. Health officials warn that the virus aggressively targets the lungs and can lead to pneumonia or acute respiratory failure.

In the United States, the outbreak has spread widely across farms since early 2024, resulting in nearly 70 confirmed human cases and one fatality in Louisiana. The virus’s recent jump to dairy cows and emergence of the D1.1 strain has raised global alarms about the risk of mutations that could enable human-to-human transmission.

Health experts urge anyone who has recently handled poultry or visited live bird markets to be cautious and seek medical care at the first sign of symptoms. Antiviral treatment, not antibiotics, remains the only effective medical response. Early detection is crucial.

As H5N1 continues to spread across continents, public health agencies stress the need for increased vigilance, surveillance, and timely intervention.