Key facts
- On 11 July 2026, a human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection was reported in Cambodia by the Ministry of Health.
- The case is 9-month-old and is currently hospitalized receiving intensive medical care.
- Infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was laboratory confirmed on 9 July 2026.
- Investigations to identify possible sources of infection and to identify contacts are ongoing.
- Antiviral prophylaxis has been administered to close contacts.
- The risk related to zoonotic influenza due to A(H5N1) virus for the general population in the EU/EEA is considered very low.
Overview
Summary
One human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection was reported in Cambodia in a press release by the Ministry of Health on 11 July 2026.
The case is a 9-month-old child from Prek Ta Kong village in Phnom Penh. Infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was detected on 9 July 2026 by the National Institute of Public Health and the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia. The patient is hospitalized in isolation and receiving intensive medical care.
According to the Ministry's statement, health officials are investigating possible sources of infection and tracing contacts. Health authorities are also distributing antiviral treatment (Oseltamivir) to close contacts and conducting health education campaigns in the community.
Background
This is the fifth human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) infection reported in Cambodia in 2026.
Since 2003, there have been 1001 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) infection worldwide*, including 478 deaths (CFR: 47.7%). These cases have been reported in 25 countries (Australia (exposure occurred in India), Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, Viet Nam, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US)). To date, no sustained human-to-human transmission has been detected.
* This includes detections due to suspected environmental contamination, with no evidence of infection, that were reported in 2022 and 2023 by Spain (two detections), the US (one), and the UK (four, one of which was inconclusive). Human cases of A(H5) epidemiologically linked to A(H5N1) outbreaks in poultry and dairy cattle in the US are included in the reported number of cases of A(H5N1).
ECDC assessment
Sporadic human cases of different avian influenza A(H5) subtypes have previously been reported around the world. Current virological evidence suggests that circulating A(H5N1) viruses retain genetic characteristics consistent with avian-adapted influenza viruses. Despite the widespread transmission of avian influenza viruses in animals, transmission to humans remains infrequent and no sustained transmission between humans has been observed.
Based on the currently available information, the overall risk related to zoonotic influenza for the general population in the EU/EEA is considered low.
Direct contact with birds and other infected animals, their secretions or a contaminated environment is the most likely source of infection. Application of personal protective measures in people exposed to infected animals or their environment can reduce the associated risk. The recent severe cases in Asia and the Americas in children and people exposed to infected, sick or dead backyard poultry underline the risk of unprotected contact with infected birds in backyard farm settings. This supports the importance of using appropriate personal protective equipment.
Actions
ECDC monitors avian influenza strains through its epidemic intelligence and disease network activities. Together with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the EU Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, ECDC produces a quarterly report on the avian influenza situation. The most recent report was published in June 2026.