Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Avian Influenza (H5N1) After the Outbreak in Rural, Cambodia

From 2003 to 25 February 2023, the avian influenza (H5N1) virus was confirmed in 59 human infections, including 39 deaths ([~]66% case-fatality rate) reported in 13 of 25 provinces in Cambodia. We aimed to assess current knowledge, attitude, and practice toward changes in poultry handling behaviors, poultry consumption, and poultry mortality reporting among rural villagers in areas affected by Avian influenza (H5N1) in Cambodia. A cross-section survey was conducted in August 2023. There were 208 participants residing in Prey Veng province who were invited to be interviewed face-to-face. Descriptive statistics were performed using STATA V17. The participants average age was 55 years old (SD=13.3 years), 78.4% were female, 59% had completed primary school, 56.7% were farmers, 68.3% raised chickens in their backyards, and 10.2% raised ducks, 23% of participants cooked sick or dead birds for their families, 32% knowing information about avian influenza virus was a lower proportion from healthcare providers, 10.6% from village health support groups were, and 2% from village animal health workers were only, 49% have been reported poultry illness and deaths to local authorities. The avian influenza epidemic in Cambodia is a genuine threat to animals and a possible concern to humans. To prevent and control this, we strongly advise everyone who works with poultry or wild game birds always to be prepared to follow appropriate hygiene standards and to cook poultry meat properly.