18 December 2009 -- The Ministry of Health of Cambodia has announced a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The 57-year-old male, from Ponhea Kreak District, Kampong Cham Province, developed symptoms on 11 December. The case was admitted to Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital on 16 December, where he received treatment. He is in a stable condition. The presence of the H5N1 virus was confirmed by the National Influenza Centre, the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. A team led by the Ministry of Health is conducting field investigations into the source of his infection.

Of the 9 cases confirmed to date in Cambodia, 7 have been fatal. This is the first diagnosed case in Cambodia during 2009.