Children in Cambodia continue to see a rise in dengue fever cases, while the spread of influenza is also drawing concern. The Ministry of Health has recently urged parents and guardians to closely monitor children's health, take preventive measures against mosquitoes and respiratory illnesses, and seek timely medical care if suspected symptoms appear.
Data from the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital shows that in the first nine months of 2026, the hospital provided free inpatient treatment to more than 30,000 dengue patients, already exceeding the 22,982 treated for the whole of 2025.
Cases climb markedly during the rainy season, with 6,079 admitted in July, 9,631 in August and 9,750 in September, approaching 10,000 in a single month. Admissions in the first nine months rose roughly 33.5% over the full-year 2025 total, underscoring continued heavy pressure on dengue prevention and treatment for children.
The Ministry of Health advises the public to regularly clean homes and surrounding areas, remove standing water, seal water storage vessels to curb mosquito breeding, and adopt personal protection against mosquito bites. If a child has a persistent high fever or symptoms suggestive of dengue, medical attention should be sought promptly and self-medication avoided to prevent delays in treatment.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health noted that influenza is highly contagious and that young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weaker immunity should be especially vigilant. Children who develop fever, cough, runny nose, headache or breathing difficulties should see a doctor promptly; those with respiratory symptoms are advised to rest at home and avoid gatherings.
The Ministry of Health also called on the public to wash hands frequently, cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wear masks in crowded or enclosed spaces to jointly reduce the risk of disease transmission.
