Boy, 9, dies and brother, 16, infected with lethal strain of bird flu already detected in UK

A NINE-year-old boy from Cambodia has died from bird flu, just days before his brother, 16, tested positive.

The child, from the northeastern province of Kratie, tested positive for the H5N1 strain, which has already been found in some poultry and other birds in the UK.

Some 882 people have been infected with H5N1 in the past 20 years – and over half died

While the virus typically only affects bird species, it can be transmitted to mammals, including humans.

Fears have been raised in recent months due to the “unprecedented” current outbreak, which has seen lots of animals, including penguins, a polar bear, and foxes, infected since 2023.

Both brothers fell ill after eating a meal their parents had cooked in late January, from chicken and ducks they raised.

The younger boy died on February 8 after suffering from a fever, shortness of breath, coughing and fainting, Cambodian health officials said in a statement.

The brother, who was later tested as part of protocol routine testing of close contacts, had no symptoms at the time of reporting, they later said in a separate release.

Other close contacts of the boy have been given the flu vaccine as a precautionary measure.

MUTATION FEARS

There are lots of different strains, but the four of highest concern are H5N1, H7N9, H5N6 and H5N8, according to the NHS.

Some 882 people have been infected with H5N1 in the past 20 years – and over half (461) of these died.

There is still no evidence that bird flu can be transmitted between people.

However, experts fear the sheer scale of the current spread could give the virus more opportunities to mutate, which could enable H5N1 to better spread in humans.

There is no human bird flu jab on the market, but the UK government is said to be drawing up plans to stockpile regular flu vaccine in case of a pandemic.

It would be the first time it has been done for the disease, regarded as a top threat for the next global health emergency.

There have been five confirmed cases of bird flu in the UK since 2022.