A 9-year-old child has died of bird flu in Cambodia, the country’s health ministry said today, warning of the continued threat posed by the virus, which is responsible for three deaths in 2023.

The boy, a resident of Kratie Province, in the north-east of the country, fell ill after eating poultry with his family. He developed symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath before he died yesterday.

The tests he underwent confirmed that the child was a carrier of the H5N1 strain, which is highly pathogenic, the ministry said.

According to the authorities’ investigation, “five chickens and three ducks died in the patient’s home” and were then cooked, the health ministry explained, adding that the health authorities are investigating the origin of the virus and looking for other cases.

“The Ministry of Health reminds the population to be vigilant about bird flu, the H5N1 strain that continues to threaten everyone’s health,” the press release points out.

At least 3 people, including a 2-year-old girl, died of bird flu in Cambodia last year. The virus can be transmitted to humans following direct and prolonged contact with birds.

Since late 2021, Europe has been hit by the worst bird flu epidemic in its history, while South and North America are also facing serious outbreaks.

Tens of millions of poultry had to be culled worldwide, including 140,000 in the Czech Republic earlier this month.

The epidemic is also responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of wild birds worldwide.