H5N1 Outbreak: Cambodia Reports 12th Case of Bird Flu in 5-Year-Old Boy

It starts like any flu, but don’t be fooled. A high fever, chills, body aches, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. In serious cases—confusion, seizures, or coma.

H5N1 outbreak in the US. When should you see a doctor? Your fever doesn’t go down after 48 hours, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough with blood, confusion, direct contact with birds in the past 10 days.

Cambodia’s health ministry reported another human case of H5N1 bird flu—a 5-year-old boy from Kampot province. This is the 12th case in Cambodia this year. H5N1, also known as avian influenza, is originally found in birds and can cross over to humans. Human infections are rare but serious and sometimes deadly.

Early signs of H5N1 infection can resemble the seasonal flu. Symptoms can escalate quickly, affecting the lungs and causing pneumonia or acute respiratory distress. Symptoms may take 2 to 8 days to appear after exposure.

H5N1 bird flu has been spreading in US farms since early 2024, with about 70 human cases and a fatality in Louisiana in January 2025. The virus has jumped to dairy cows, raising concerns over mutations that could increase human-to-human spread.

If you've been around birds or on a farm, watch out for symptoms and seek medical attention if needed. Antibiotics won’t help as H5N1 is a virus. Antiviral treatment, rest, hydration, and hospital support are crucial in severe cases. Listen to your body and seek help if symptoms worsen or if you have had bird exposure.