Latest news with #Kampot
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Child hospitalised abroad as bird flu cases climb
Cambodia 's Ministry of Health recently confirmed the country's twelfth human case of H5N1 avian influenza so far this year. The patient, a five-year-old boy from Kampot province, is currently in intensive care with severe respiratory symptoms. The announcement, on July 3, came just days after a 19-month-old child in neighbouring Takeo province died from the same virus. To date, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission. But the steady increase in cases has renewed attention to the risks posed by H5N1. This highly pathogenic bird flu virus spreads rapidly among poultry and occasionally jumps to humans, often with deadly consequences. Since 2003, there have been at least 954 reported human infections globally, nearly half of them fatal, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Experts have long considered H5N1 a serious pandemic threat due to its high mortality rate and potential to evolve. The recent Cambodian cases are linked to the 2.3.2.1e lineage of H5N1 (previously known as 2.3.2.1c), a strain that has circulated for decades in poultry across Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. From 2005 to 2014, Cambodia saw sporadic but severe human infections – then almost a decade passed without new cases. That changed in 2023 when six human cases were reported. The numbers have since climbed: ten in 2024, and now 12 in the first half of 2025. Of these recent infections, at least 12 – about 43% – have been fatal. A troubling pattern is also emerging: seven of this year's cases occurred in June alone, according to the WHO's latest Disease Outbreak News update. Animal pandemic Globally, however, a different H5N1 lineage – 2.3.4.4b – has dominated in recent years. This strain sparked a devastating wave of avian outbreaks starting in 2021, sweeping across continents and decimating wild bird and poultry populations. It also spread to mammals, leading scientists to label it an 'animal pandemic'. Although it no longer causes mass die-offs, 2.3.4.4b remains widespread and dangerous, particularly because of its capacity to infect mammals. It has been linked to about 70 human cases in the US alone, with only one death recorded so far, and is under investigation for suspected mammal-to-mammal transmission in species, including US dairy cattle and seals. Influenza viruses are notoriously prone to genetic reassortment – a process by which two or more strains infect the same host and exchange genetic material. These events can sometimes generate new, more transmissible or deadly variants. In April 2024, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation reported the emergence of a reassortant virus in Vietnam. This new strain combines surface proteins from the long-standing 2.3.2.1e virus with internal genes from the globally dominant 2.3.4.4b. Evidence suggests that this reassortant virus may be driving the rise in Cambodian human infections. A 2024 study, which has not yet undergone peer review, found that the new virus carries genetic markers that could enhance its ability to infect humans – although it is not yet considered human-adapted. According to the study's authors, this reassortant form has become the predominant strain found in poultry across the region in recent years. So far, all confirmed human cases in Cambodia have been linked to direct contact with infected or dead poultry – often in small, rural backyards. This suggests that the country's 'one health' strategy, which aims to integrate human, animal and environmental health responses, is functioning as intended. Although some gaps clearly remain. Food safety and food security remain serious concerns across much of Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Limited veterinary oversight, informal poultry markets, lack of compensation for poultry losses due to disease, and poor biosecurity may offer the virus opportunities to persist and evolve – and potentially reach more people. Since the COVID pandemic, advances in disease surveillance and reporting have made it easier to detect and confirm human infections, Dr Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran, head of the Pathogen Evolution Lab at Hong Kong University, told me over email. However, he notes that surveillance remains heavily concentrated in urban areas and the commercial poultry sector, while rural settings and interactions with wild birds are poorly monitored. Expanding surveillance to these overlooked areas will be vital, he says, if the world hopes to better understand – and prepare for – the next potential influenza pandemic.
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Strawberry and lemon verbena salad with lemon sorbet
I love adding lemon verbena to desserts – either infused in a syrup or scattered fresh as a herb. It brings a lovely citrusy lift, but if you can't find fresh lemon verbena, mint leaves are a great stand-in. You can go with any good-quality shop-bought sorbet or ice cream that complements the strawberries (think berry-flavoured or citrus), or of course use homemade. Oh – and you have to try salted fresh Kampot peppercorns. They're so good you could snack on them straight, but they're especially amazing sprinkled over strawberries. I get them from Ingredients 350-400g strawberries, hulled handful of lemon verbena leaves (alternatively you can use mint, lemon balm, sorrel or lemongrass) 1 tbsp salted fresh Kampot or green peppercorns 4 scoops of lemon sorbet
Listly
18-06-2025
- Listly
A Taste of Cambodia—Exploring the Culinary Delights of Siem Reap
This is a flavoursome meal for all meat lovers. Made with stir-fried chicken or beef, Lok Lak consists of rice and well-marinated meat served with a side of lettuce, tomato, and crunchy cucumber. The meat is marinated in an oyster and soy sauce mix, together with other spices and herbs that render it both tender and bursting with flavour. But that's not all; the dish is accompanied by a dipping sauce made from lime juice and traditional Kampot pepper. Known as "champagne pepper", Kampot was introduced to Cambodia by the French. Since then, it remains a premium spice that distinguishes many local and international dishes served across the nation. You will find Lok Lak virtually anywhere around town. For a refined version of the delicacy, head to places like The Mansion, located at FCC Angkor, which is an example of a Siem Reap hotel that lets you savour an amalgamation of tradition and modern comforts.
AsiaOne
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Is Phnom Penh Southeast Asia's most underrated capital? Here's why it is time to visit, Lifestyle News
Imagine this: you're at a rooftop bar, sipping an artisanal gin cocktail as soft jazz plays in the background. Below you, 37 floors down, the glittering lights of a city wink away. You've spent the afternoon wandering its streets dotted with art galleries, independent boutiques and whimsical cafes before joining the fashionable folks around you for a drink. It almost feels like Bangkok or Bali — except there are no overwhelming crowds of tourists or aggressive touts. Sva kum (welcome) to Phnom Penh. Phno way, you say? You'd be forgiven if the Cambodian capital has so far flown under your long-weekend radar. After all, it's most often remembered for its dark past and Communist history, with a long-drawn civil war that only came to an end in the 1990s. But things are changing. For the first time, the city has a young generation of citizens who haven't grown up surrounded by war, while expats are moving into the dynamic and increasingly tourist-friendly destination to start businesses. New hotels, edgy cocktail bars, indie boutiques and art galleries are popping up quicker than you can say "fresh start", transforming it into one of Southeast Asia's fastest-rising creative hubs. (For proof on how quickly things are changing, check out the LGBTQ+ scene, where a new annual Pride festival now draws thousands of people every year — more on that later.) All of which means that while Phnom Penh may be underrated for now, it won't stay that way for long. So go while you can — and while it's still much more affordable than nearby popular destinations. Here's where to eat, drink, stay and play in the Cambodian capital. Where to stay: Luxe towers, historic legends and riverfront retreats [embed] To experience Phnom Penh's glow-up in style, check into the Rosewood Phnom Penh. Sitting on the top floors of the city's tallest skyscraper, this gorgeous hotel has the best rooms in town and serves up sweeping Mekong views, an art-filled lobby, and some of the city's best cocktails. If old-school glamour is more your thing, head to Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the grand dame of Phnom Penh hotels. Opened in 1929, it's all black-and-white tiled corridors, leafy courtyards and history-soaked bars. For something with more of a boutique vibe, the stylish Hotel KVL in the heart of the tourist district offers minimalist luxury, with views that overlook the intersection of the great Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Where to eat and drink: Modern Khmer food and creative cocktails Phnom Penh's food and drink scene is levelling up fast, with international restaurants mushrooming across the city. The best place to start your culinary adventure is Bai Sor, with its modern Cambodian dishes, like Kep crab with Kampot pepper and charcoal-grilled stuffed frogs, and a focus on fresh, local, seasonal produce. [embed] For a casual, cosy meal (not to mention yummy gelato), head to Koki Kitchen, where Southeast Asian flavours come together in dishes like the spicy tuna tartare and curry noodles. [embed] And don't sleep on Phnom Penh's bar scene, which is surprisingly extensive and sophisticated for a city that only recently entered the landscape. The understated speakeasy Kravat is where the cool kids (and stylish grown-ups) sip cocktails crafted with Cambodian ingredients. Meanwhile, laidback Pomelo, a Scandinavian-style cocktail bar hidden down a laneway, offers classic drinks with chilled-out vibes. Whether or not you're up for a drink, save time for Sora, the award-winning rooftop bar at the Rosewood. Here, the seasonal menu of fabulous cocktails is just half the draw — its open-air terrace also offers jaw-dropping unblocked views across the city. What to do: Sustainable shopping, art-hopping and creative festivals Phnom Penh is a playground for creative, planet-conscious souls right now. For shopping, skip the malls and head to the fair-trade fashion boutique A.N.D, where you'll find handwoven textiles and ethically made fashion pieces — some created, incredibly, from rags dredged from the Mekong River. Or visit Nary — which employs women from the community to produce its clothes — for breezy, sustainable resort wear. [embed] Over at Interwoven Atelier, there are light, easy-to-wear dresses and separates that are perfect for our region's tropical weather, while Paradise is the best place for beach-esque decor pieces. Nearby Shade, meanwhile, offers artisanal accessories and standout menswear by longtime Phnom Penh resident Ryan Drewe Taylor. [embed] The city's art scene is thriving, too. The Gallerist is one of the best places to view the increasingly admired work of Cambodia's contemporary artists. And if you're into theatre, The Last Stage by The Acting Art Academy is where Phnom Penh's next-gen playwrights and actors are telling new, exciting stories. Time your visit right and you can also catch Phnom Penh Designers Week, a city-wide celebration of Cambodian creativity, or Pride Fest Cambodia, the highlight of which is a concert and an Amazing Race-style tuk tuk race across the city. Now is the time to go There's a young energy to Phnom Penh at the moment that feels like the capital is on the cusp of becoming the next Bangkok. Yet traffic still trundles along the roads like it's in no hurry to become the next big thing, and the city's attractions are blissfully uncrowded. In a few years there will be many more major hotel chains (several are already under construction), and things will no doubt be different. But for now, this is Southeast Asia's most underrated, under-the-radar capital, and there's no better time to visit. [[nid:718282]] This article was first published in
