This week, BBC Science in Action featured a conversation with Dr. Erik Karlsson, Head of the Virology Unit at Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), on the recent rise in human A/H5N1 avian influenza cases in Cambodia. As of mid-2025, the country has confirmed 12 human infections. All confirmed cases to date involved direct contact with infected poultry and no human-to-human transmission has been detected.

In the interview, Dr. Karlsson discussed thr Virology Unit at IPC’s role in national and international response, including rapid diagnostics and sequencing to monitor the virus’s evolution. He noted that the reasons behind the increase in cases are not yet fully understood, and IPC is working with national and international partners to investigate a range of possible contributing factors—from viral changes to socio-economic pressures and environmental conditions.

A related article in The Telegraph provides further context on the 2025 H5N1 cases and outlines ongoing surveillance efforts in Cambodia. 

Listen to the BBC Science in Action segment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsnb 

Read the Telegraph article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/cambodia-new-bird-flu-cases-human-h5n1-infections