On August 22, 2024, the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) hosted a distinguished US Congressional Delegation led by Brad Wenstrup (Member of the U.S. House of Representatives),  US-CDC and USAID representatives and HE Ly Sovann, Director of Cambodian-CDC.

The focus of the discussion was particularly on influenza virus (H5N1), demonstrating how the sharing of samples and information enhances virus characterization in Cambodia. Dr Veasna DUONG (IPC) present IPC’s collaboration with NIPH and NAPHRI, C-CDC, emphasizing the critical role of USAID and US funding in key initiatives such as H5 and Predict.

Following the presentation, the visitors took a brief tour of the institute’s facilities, including the Virology Unit, the BSL-3 laboratory, and the  Biobank. The visit enabled the US delegation to gain a better understanding of the IPC’s partnerships with other Cambodian institutions involved in the fight against emerging diseases and zoonosis in Cambodia.