A 15-year-old girl, diagnosed with the avian influenza A H5N1 virus, has passed away in Cambodia. The WHO confirmed the case after laboratory tests. The medical reports reveal that the girl, who had no underlying health conditions, initially developed a fever. She was subsequently admitted to a Phnom Penh facility specializing in severe acute respiratory infections, presenting symptoms including cough, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Information gathered by local health authorities indicates that the girl was exposed to infected poultry during food preparation. The Cambodian Department of Infectious Diseases has identified six individuals in close contact with the girl. These individuals have all been treated with the antiviral Oseltamivir and placed under monitoring. Their current status is that they are asymptomatic.
The 15-year-old is one of ten documented cases of H5N1 infection in humans in Cambodia for the year 2024. Since 2003, there have been 72 reported human cases of H5N1 infection in the country, resulting in 43 fatalities. Epidemiological evidence suggests that A H5N1 viruses have not acquired the ability to transmit between humans. Therefore, according to WHO the likelihood of sustained spread from man to man is currently low.
