Researchers in Cambodia believe viruses have become better at jumping from animals to humans

Sarah Newey

Global Health Security Correspondent,

in Bangkok

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Sarah is based in Bangkok, having reported from more than 20 countries since first joining the desk in London. She covers issues such as infectious disease, insecurity and development policy, with a focus on Asia-Pacific

Published 12 November 2026 12:55pm GMT

The bird flu virus’ resurgence began with an 11-year-old. In February 2023, the schoolgirl was admitted to a hospital in Phnom Penh with severe pneumonia – within a day, she was dead.

Tests soon revealed that she had contracted avian influenza: Cambodia hadn’t reported a human case of bird flu since 2014, but the hiatus was over .…