Two cases of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) reported from Cambodia

The World Health Organization says that the Cambodia International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) reported one confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus on 23 February 2023. A second case, a family contact of the first case, was reported the next day. An outbreak investigation is ongoing including determining the exposure of these two reported cases to the virus.

These are the first two cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) reported from Cambodia since 2014. In December 2003, Cambodia reported an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 for the first time affecting wild birds. Since then, and until 2014, human cases due to poultry-to-human transmission have been sporadically reported in Cambodia.

H5N1 infection in humans can cause severe disease, has a high mortality rate, and is notifiable under IHR (2005).