Cambodia has reported a dramatic rise in dengue fever cases, with health officials confirming a 232 per cent increase in 2025 compared to the previous year. The Ministry of Health’s National Dengue Surveillance System recorded 63,016 infections and 79 deaths by the end of December, underscoring the scale of the outbreak.

The figures mark a sharp escalation from 2024, when 18,983 cases and 46 deaths were reported. While the case fatality rate remains relatively low at 0.13 per cent, the sheer volume of infections has placed significant strain on hospitals and public health services across the country.

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease, is endemic in Cambodia and has long posed seasonal challenges. Transmission typically peaks during the rainy months, when stagnant water provides breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The illness, caused by four related dengue virus serotypes, can develop within two weeks of infection and usually lasts less than a week. Symptoms range from fever, headache and rash to muscle pain and nausea, but in severe cases the disease can quickly escalate into a medical emergency.

Health experts warn that severe dengue can lead to haemorrhage, shock, organ failure and, in some instances, death. Hospitalisation is often required when complications arise, and the rapid onset of severe symptoms makes early detection and treatment critical.

Cambodia has faced repeated dengue surges over the past two decades, with major outbreaks recorded in 2007, 2012 and 2019. Public health campaigns have focused on mosquito control, community awareness and improved access to treatment, yet the cyclical nature of the disease continues to challenge authorities. The latest spike highlights the vulnerability of densely populated urban areas, where mosquito breeding is harder to contain.

Officials are urging communities to take preventive measures, including eliminating standing water around homes and using mosquito nets. International health agencies are also monitoring the situation closely, given the potential for cross-border transmission in the region.

The surge in cases serves as a stark reminder of dengue’s persistent threat in Southeast Asia. With climate patterns shifting and urbanisation accelerating, experts caution that outbreaks may become more frequent and severe unless sustained prevention and control efforts are reinforced.

-2026-01-15