A 11-year-old boy from Kampong Speu province in Cambodia has died of H5N1 avian influenza, the country’s Health Ministry confirmed. This marks the fourth confirmed human case of bird flu in Cambodia in 2025 and all four have been fatal.

Laboratory analysis performed at the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia confirmed the virus presence in the child, who had a sudden onset of serious respiratory manifestations such as high fever, continuous cough, breathlessness, and acute respiratory distress. He was taken to a hospital but died on May 2, 2025.

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The ministry's probe found that chickens and ducks in and around the child's house had been falling ill and dying in the days prior to the child's symptoms appearing, suggesting zoonotic transmission, a distressing reminder of the thin lines between human and animal well-being.

Although human illnesses of H5N1 are uncommon and not a food safety threat, this year has also witnessed an alarming increase in cases in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 10 human bird flu cases across the world in 2025 before this death in Cambodia. Five of them led to fatality. Four of those deaths have now been reported from Cambodia and all of them have been linked with direct contact with infected or dead birds.

This trend is mirroring an increasingly global reality: the rate of H5N1 spillover into humans, while remaining low, is rising. The more often it occurs, the greater the possibility of the virus evolving to be able to live in human hosts.

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Why the H5N1 Threat Can't Be Ignored?

Avian flu A(H5N1) is a contagious disease that primarily infects birds but has been found to be capable of crossing species. This cross-species capability keeps scientists and health authorities on their toes. The Global Virus Network just reported more than 70 cases of human infections in the U.S. alone since the wider outbreak started, with one confirmed death.

Although human-to-human transmission has not yet taken place, specialists warn that mutations, particularly in mammals, may bring us to the verge of a tipping point. Should H5N1 develop the potential for effective human transmission, the result might equal the magnitude of past pandemics.

After the child's death, Cambodia's Ministry of Health sent a team of emergency response workers to the village affected to track down the source of the infection and stop further transmission. Steps include contact tracing, health screening, dispensing of the antiviral drug Tamiflu to potentially exposed people, and public education campaigns alerting about contact with infected poultry.

In a public health alert, the ministry called on citizens who had flu-like symptoms—particularly those with recent contact with birds—to get immediate medical attention. "To delay treatment increases you to a high risk of eventual death," the warning added.

How Does H5N1 Infect Humans?

H5N1 is not contagious among humans, and that is why every confirmed case attracts immediate global attention. The majority of infections in humans are due to direct contact with sick birds or contaminated habitats, especially via saliva, nasal discharges, feces, or blood.

Even other creatures—like milk cows—can carry the virus in milk and respiratory secretions. When those things come in contact with humans, the virus enters through inhalation of contaminated dust or droplets, eyes, nose, or mouth.

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This cross-host transmission highlights the importance of adopting a One Health policy, which acknowledges the interrelatedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Symptoms of Bird Flu In Humans To Watch For

Incubation for H5N1 in humans usually lasts for 2 to 5 days, although it may be as long as 17 days. Symptoms tend to worsen like normal flu but may quickly become severe respiratory illness. Typical symptoms are:

• High fever
• Fatigue and muscle pains
• Ongoing cough
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Shortness of breath

While some of the U.S. cases have had less severe symptoms, around the world the virus has carried a high mortality rate, so early diagnosis and intervention are paramount.

The WHO has been warning of the pandemic threat posed by avian influenza for years. In the United States alone, over 168 million birds have been killed since 2022 to contain outbreaks of avian flu—testifying to the virus's economic and agricultural impact. But the more general concern is how close we may be to a mutation that makes possible efficient transmission from person to person.

The recent Cambodian fatality, though isolated, is just a piece in a larger mosaic. With H5N1 now emerging in an expanding array of animal hosts, including mammals such as mink, cats, and even sea mammals, the path to human adaptation may be shortening.

Who's Most at Risk Right Now?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the general public remains at low risk, but the agency recommends heightened vigilance among farmers, poultry workers, veterinarians, and dairy handlers. Preventive steps include:

• Avoiding contact with sick or dead animals
• Using protective gear (gloves, masks, eye protection)
• Practicing good hygiene—especially handwashing
• Cooking poultry and eggs thoroughly (to 165°F/74°C)
• Choosing pasteurized dairy products

Jesse Eisenberg has opened up about his intention to donate his kidney to a stranger. He deemed the decision as a “no-brainer.” Known for films like Now You See Me, the 42-year-old actor shared the news on the Today show on October 30th, as he explained that he got the "blood donation bug" after participating in a blood drive over the summer.

Eisenberg stated he is scheduled for an altruistic donation, which is also known as a non-directed living donation, in mid-December. This means he is donating his organ to someone he does not know, with the recipient being selected based on medical compatibility.

Eisenberg stands by his decision, emphasizing, “It's essentially risk-free and so needed." He believes more people will realize "it's a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”

His reason for saying that donating his kidney is a ‘risk free’ decision is that, after this procedure, through the National Kidney Foundation's family voucher program, his family would be prioritized should if any of them ever need a living kidney donation in the future.

Donating a kidney can help improve the quality of life and survival for the receiver, however there are a few health implications one should keep in mind.

What Happens When You Do A Living Kidney Donation?

The American Kidney Fund explains that a living donation is a kidney transplant where a person who is alive and healthy gives one of their two healthy kidneys to a person with serious kidney disease. Kidneys that come from a living person usually work better and last longer than those that come from someone who has died. There are 2 types of kidney donations:

Non-directed Donation (Altruistic Donation)

This is when the person donating the kidney does not pick the recipient. Instead, they donate the kidney to a stranger. This is often done through a program that helps swap kidneys between people (a paired kidney exchange). Jesse Eisenberg is opting for this method.

Directed Donation

This is when the person donating the kidney chooses the specific person who will receive it, for example, a family member or a close friend.

Who Can Donate A Kidney, Are There Any Benefits?

To be able to donate a kidney while you are alive, you must meet a few requirements:

• You must be 18 years old or older.
• You must have two healthy, working kidneys.
• You must be healthy enough to handle the surgery and recovery.

Most people who donate a kidney can get back to their normal life in about two to four weeks. However, a team of doctors and nurses carefully checks the donor to make sure they understand all the possible physical, emotional, and financial risks.

• You help the person who receives your kidney to live longer and be healthier, and you may even save their life.
• The detailed check-up you go through helps you learn more about your own health.

What Are The Health Risks of Kidney Donation?

Like any surgery, kidney donation also carries physical risks. These can include common issues like pain at the surgical site, feeling weak and tired, or bloating. More serious, though less frequent, risks involve bleeding and the formation of blood clots, problems related to anesthesia such as pneumonia, a blocked bowel, and the possibility of infection. Additionally, donors will have a scar from the surgery and may feel sick to their stomach afterward.

The American Kidney Fund also explains that there may also be some emotional risks involved. Some people feel anxious, stressed, sad (depressed), or guilty if the kidney they gave doesn't work well for the recipient. It is a very noble task to help someone gain a second chance for a better life. Understanding the risks and health implications can help you make the most informed choice. Let your healthcare professionals know about your doubts and worries, as it will help them make the process better for you.

Some people who recover from Covid-19 continue to feel unwell for weeks or even months afterward. This condition, called long Covid or post-Covid syndrome, is diagnosed when symptoms last for more than 12 weeks. If you are experiencing it, doctors say there is one thing you should be cautious about.

Although long Covid is not usually life-threatening, it can cause ongoing discomfort and affect many parts of the body in different ways. According to NHS guidance, symptoms vary from person to person and can shift over time.

While the condition can be difficult to manage, there are several treatment options available. These may include physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and nutritional guidance to ease symptoms and improve overall health. If you think you might have long Covid, it’s best to see your GP. They can assess your symptoms, run a few tests, and help you get the right diagnosis and care.

What Is Long Covid?

Long Covid refers to a range of ongoing symptoms that continue even after the initial Covid-19 infection has passed. Many people expect to recover within a couple of weeks, yet some find themselves still struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or changes in taste and smell months later. Foods that once tasted normal may now seem metallic or flavourless, and restful sleep can become rare.

As per Cleveland Clinic, rather than being a single illness, long Covid covers any health issue linked to a Covid-19 infection that lasts three months or more after the first symptoms appear. It can affect anyone, regardless of whether their initial case was mild or severe. The symptoms often resemble those seen in autoimmune, respiratory, heart, or neurological conditions, and can also affect mental health.

Some people experience only mild issues, while others find the effects deeply disruptive. The symptoms might fade and return, shift in intensity, or feel as if the body never fully recovered from the original infection.

Symptoms of Long Covid

As noted by the NHS, long Covid can bring a range of symptoms such as:

• Memory or concentration problems, often referred to as brain fog
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle or joint pain
• Extreme tiredness or fatigue
• Sore throat
• Blocked or runny nose
• Chest pain, tightness, or a racing heartbeat (palpitations)
• Pins and needles or general body aches
• Persistent cough
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Nausea, weight loss, or loss of appetite
• Fever
• Stomach pain or diarrhoea
• Hair loss or skin rashes like hives
• Changes in senses, including altered taste or smell, vision issues, ear pain, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Headaches, dizziness, or vertigo
• Anxiety and depression
• Sudden confusion (delirium), especially in older adults

Not everyone with long Covid will experience all these symptoms. Some may appear and fade over time, while new ones can develop unexpectedly.

Avoiding Physical Activity

NHS experts warn that long Covid symptoms can worsen if you are under stress or push yourself to be too physically active. They advise against returning to exercise before consulting a GP or specialist.

Research from the University of Leeds also supports this. While physical activity can sometimes help recovery, overexertion may lead to setbacks or worsening symptoms. The researchers suggested that “personalised physical activity plans that reduce the risks of inactivity without triggering long Covid symptoms should be considered a clinical priority.”

If you suspect you have long Covid and are unsure about how much exercise is safe, it’s best to speak with your GP or a healthcare professional for tailored advice.

US President Donald Trump recently claimed he had taken an “IQ test,” seemingly mistaking it for a dementia screening exam. Boasting that he achieved a perfect score, he also challenged Democratic representatives Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) to attempt the same test.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, the 79-year-old described the exam as “very hard,” while mocking his opponents as “low IQ” individuals. This mix-up has once again drawn scrutiny to his cognitive health, with experts suggesting the confusion could be a possible sign of dementia.

Donald Trump Mistakes Cognitive Exam For IQ Test

On Monday (October 27), Trump told reporters that he had aced an intelligence test at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. According to The New Republic, the test he referred to is likely the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a short 10-minute screening tool designed to detect early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this, Trump appeared to treat it as an intelligence measure rather than a diagnostic tool.

During his remarks, the Republican challenged Crockett, 44, and Ocasio-Cortez, 36, to take what he called the “IQ test.” “Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he said. “The first couple of questions are easy: a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know. But when you get up to about five or six, and then 10, 20, 25—they couldn’t answer any of them,” he added.

Donald Trump’s Verbal Gaffes

This is not the first time Donald Trump has spoken about the MoCA test in exaggerated terms or made verbal missteps. Back in 2020, he told Fox News that he was asked “30 to 35 questions” of varying difficulty. “They always show you the first one, like a giraffe, a tiger, or a whale—‘Which one is the whale?’ OK. And then it gets harder and harder,” he said at the time, insisting that others had struggled where he had not.

Observers have long noted that Trump’s speeches often include rambling detours and non-sequiturs. “His speeches are full of non sequiturs,” said historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez of Calvin College, who has compared the speaking styles of Trump and Hillary Clinton. “It’s a completely different style from nearly any other politician you normally see on a big stage.”

Is Donald Trump Showing Early Signs of Dementia?

Clinical psychologists Dr. Harry Segal and Dr. John Gartner have expressed concern about the president’s psychomotor performance, suggesting that he may be displaying early indicators of dementia. Speaking in a recent episode of their program Shrinking Trump, Dr. Gartner said, “We’ve been observing a clear decline in his motor performance, which aligns with dementia, as it typically involves deterioration across all faculties and functions.”

He added that Trump’s public demeanor, language, and verbal disorganization have become more apparent signs of cognitive changes. According to The Mirror, Trump has also been seen attempting to conceal his hands in public, prompting further speculation about his health.

The recent mix-up between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and an IQ test, some experts say, could further reinforce these concerns. To better understand this, we spoke with Dr. Neetu Tiwari, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), Senior Resident at NIIMS Medical College & Hospital.

She explained, “Confusing the nature of the test could be something worth noting. In itself, a single instance of confusion does not amount to a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) or any other dementia type. But if this kind of misunderstanding is part of a wider pattern—repeated confusion, new behavioural changes, personality shifts, language difficulties, or problems managing daily tasks—it would justify a full cognitive and neurological assessment. Early detection often relies on observing clusters of symptoms that persist or worsen over time.”

Summing up her view, Dr. Tiwari added that while it is possible for such mislabelling to be a small indicator, it is not strong evidence on its own. “Context matters,” she said. “Age, baseline cognitive ability, education, emotional state, stress, and fatigue all influence mental performance. The responsible next step is to monitor whether other changes are taking place, and if so, to seek a detailed evaluation from a neurologist or neuropsychologist.”