Cambodia's Ministry of Health has urged the public to take additional health and safety precautions during the Kan Ben and Pchum Ben festivals, warning about food poisoning, methanol poisoning, infectious diseases, avian influenza and road accidents.
With large numbers of people expected to travel, gather at pagodas and prepare food for religious ceremonies, the ministry is calling for stronger hygiene practices and greater attention to food and transport safety.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health urged people to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to protect themselves, their families and their communities during the festival period.
Pchum Ben Health and Safety Checklist
| Risk | Ministry Advice |
|---|---|
| Food poisoning | Cook meat, poultry, eggs and seafood thoroughly |
| Raw eggs | Do not eat raw chicken or duck eggs |
| Cross-contamination | Separate raw and cooked food |
| Food storage | Cold food below 5°C; hot food above 60°C |
| Leftovers | Prepare only enough for immediate consumption |
| Water | Use clean water |
| Expired food | Do not consume |
| Methanol | Never consume white spirits or medicinal alcohol containing methanol |
| Driving | Follow traffic laws and avoid speeding |
| Alcohol and driving | Never drink before or while driving |
| Drugs | Avoid drug use, particularly before driving |
| Respiratory illness | Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing |
| Poultry | Avoid sick or dead birds |
| Poultry handling | Use gloves and masks where possible |
| High fever | Seek medical care within 72 hours if fever exceeds 38°C |
Food Safety Is a Major Concern
The ministry advised the public to maintain good hygiene, particularly when preparing and handling food.
People should wash their hands regularly, especially before handling food and after coming into contact with animals, poultry, feathers or potentially contaminated materials.
All meat, poultry, eggs and seafood should be thoroughly cooked.
The ministry specifically warned people not to consume raw chicken or duck eggs.
Food purchased from markets and street vendors should also be handled hygienically, while raw and cooked food should be kept separate to prevent cross-contamination.
Cooking utensils should be properly cleaned before and after use.
Keep Hot Food Hot and Cold Food Cold
The Ministry of Health also provided temperature guidance for food storage.
Cold food should be stored below 5°C.
Hot food should be kept above 60°C.
The ministry advised families and communities to prepare only enough food for immediate consumption and avoid keeping leftovers for extended periods.
Spoiled or contaminated food can cause symptoms including diarrhoea, stomach pain and vomiting.
People should also use clean water and avoid consuming expired food or products containing unsafe additives.
Ministry Issues Strong Methanol Warning
The Health Ministry issued a particularly strong warning about methanol, stressing that methanol is not ordinary drinking alcohol and should never be used to produce white spirits or medicinal alcohol.
The ministry warned:
“People must not sell, buy or consume white spirits or medicinal alcohol containing methanol, as it can cause severe poisoning and death.”
Methanol exposure can create serious health risks, making the ministry's warning particularly relevant during festivals when alcohol consumption may increase.
Authorities were also instructed to strengthen efforts to prevent the sale of unsafe alcohol and educate communities about the dangers of methanol.
Travel and Road Safety During Pchum Ben
Large numbers of Cambodians are expected to travel during the festival period to visit relatives and pagodas.
The Ministry of Health therefore urged travellers and drivers to follow traffic regulations and take precautions to reduce road accidents.
Drivers should:
Follow traffic laws.
Avoid speeding.
Never drink alcohol before or while driving.
Avoid drug use.
Remain alert while operating vehicles.
The ministry warned that drug use can further increase the risk of traffic accidents.
The combination of increased travel, crowded roads and festive activities makes responsible driving particularly important during the holiday period.
Protect Against Respiratory Diseases
The ministry also advised the public to take precautions against respiratory infections, influenza, avian influenza, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases during gatherings and festivities.
People are advised to:
Cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Use masks or tissues when appropriate.
Avoid spitting in public places.
Practise good personal hygiene.
Take precautions when interacting with animals and poultry.
These measures are particularly relevant in crowded environments such as pagodas, markets and transport areas.
Avoid Sick or Dead Poultry
The Ministry of Health warned the public against handling or consuming sick or dead poultry.
People who must handle poultry should take protective measures, including wearing gloves and masks.
Where masks are unavailable, the ministry advised covering the nose and mouth with a scarf when preparing birds.
It also recommended that poultry be scalded with boiling water before feathers are removed.
These precautions are intended to reduce exposure to potential infectious hazards associated with poultry.
Seek Medical Care for High Fever
The ministry advised anyone experiencing a sudden high fever above 38°C to seek medical attention within 72 hours.
People experiencing such symptoms were also advised to avoid self-treatment.
Early medical consultation can allow health professionals to assess symptoms and determine whether further treatment or monitoring is required.
Pagodas Asked to Strengthen Food Safety
The Ministry of Health called on authorities at all levels to strengthen health and safety measures during the festivals.
Key areas include:
Providing food-safety guidance.
Ensuring safe food preparation at pagodas.
Preventing the sale of unsafe alcohol.
Raising awareness about methanol poisoning.
Promoting hygiene and disease prevention.
Supporting safe travel and responsible driving.
Pagodas are expected to be particularly busy during Kan Ben and Pchum Ben as families gather for religious ceremonies and prepare food offerings.
Angkor Times Analysis
Pchum Ben is one of Cambodia's major annual periods for family travel, religious gatherings and community activities. The Ministry of Health's guidance therefore covers several risks that can increase when people travel, gather and prepare food on a large scale.
Food safety is particularly important because meals and offerings are often prepared collectively. Keeping raw and cooked food separate, maintaining appropriate temperatures and avoiding unsafe leftovers can reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The ministry's methanol warning is also significant because unsafe alcohol can create a serious poisoning risk. Its advice is clear that products containing methanol should not be sold, purchased or consumed.
Road safety represents another major concern during the festival because increased travel brings more vehicles onto Cambodia's roads. The ministry's emphasis on avoiding speeding, alcohol and drugs while driving is aimed at reducing preventable accidents.
For families visiting pagodas, the practical message is straightforward: prepare food safely, maintain hygiene, avoid unsafe alcohol, take precautions around poultry, and travel responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What health risks has Cambodia's Health Ministry highlighted for Pchum Ben?
The ministry warned about food poisoning, methanol poisoning, respiratory infections, influenza, avian influenza, COVID-19 and traffic-related risks.
How should food be stored safely?
The ministry advises keeping cold food below 5°C and hot food above 60°C, while separating raw and cooked food to prevent cross-contamination.
Can people consume raw chicken or duck eggs?
No. The Ministry of Health specifically advised people not to consume raw chicken or duck eggs.
What is the Ministry of Health's warning about methanol?
The ministry warned that methanol is not drinking alcohol and that white spirits or medicinal alcohol containing methanol must not be sold, purchased or consumed because it can cause severe poisoning and death.
What should drivers do during Pchum Ben?
Drivers should obey traffic laws, avoid speeding and never drink alcohol or use drugs before or while driving.
What should people do if they develop a high fever?
Anyone experiencing a sudden fever above 38°C should seek medical care within 72 hours and avoid self-treatment, according to the ministry.