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H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads in Cambodia with Fifteen Cases in 2025 While Global Risk Remains Low
Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
This is Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update, your concise summary of the day’s key developments on the H5N1 avian influenza situation, from global case trends to breaking health advice. Today is Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Top stories
First, Cambodia has reported yet another human infection with H5N1, their fifteenth this year. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Health, a six-year-old girl from Takeo province was hospitalized after exposure to sick and dead chickens in her village—a stark reminder that direct contact with infected poultry remains the primary risk factor for humans. Cambodian authorities have confirmed that, sadly, seven of these fifteen Cambodian cases this year have been fatal.
Second, the United States continues to report no new human H5N1 cases since mid-February. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states the current public health risk in the US remains low, but ongoing animal surveillance is in place as outbreaks persist in wild birds and dairy herds. In total, the US saw seventy human cases from 2024 through early 2025, most of those mild, and nearly all in people with direct animal exposure.
Third, in Europe, the United Kingdom this week confirmed a new outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 in commercial poultry near Seaton, Devon. The UK government has reinforced movement restrictions and biosecurity measures in affected zones. The World Organisation for Animal Health now considers Great Britain not free from H5N1.
Case numbers
Globally, 26 human H5N1 infections have been confirmed so far in 2025, as reported by the US CDC. That number remains unchanged from yesterday’s report. Cambodia alone accounts for fifteen of these cases, with seven deaths. In the United States, no new cases have been identified since February, and no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission has been observed worldwide. The overall risk to the general public remains assessed as low.
New guidance
No significant changes to precautionary guidance were issued today. However, the CDC, as highlighted in its August summary, continues to stress strict biosecurity on farms, prompt reporting of sick or dead birds, and avoiding direct exposure to potentially infected animals. The FAO and WHO jointly reaffirm the importance of ongoing animal and human surveillance and rapid case investigation to limit spread.
Expert insight
For a brief perspective, Dr. Erik Karlsson from the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia shared: “The rise in severe H5N1 cases here continues to be closely linked with direct poultry contact. We currently see no evidence of the virus spreading easily among people, but we must remain vigilant and continue preventative efforts at every level.”
Looking ahead
Tomorrow, ongoing investigations in Cambodia may reveal additional cases as case tracking intensifies in Takeo province. In the US, CDC officials are expected to release updated targeted surveillance data for dairy workers and poultry handlers. The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will review adjustments to movement restrictions in Devon, while Europe-wide authorities monitor for any further poultry outbreaks.
Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. For continued coverage and expert analysis, come back next week for more updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out QuietPlease dot AI.
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Published on 1 week ago