Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 3

6 February 2007

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).

The 17-year-old female from Fayyoum Governorate developed symptoms on 25 January 2007 and was initially treated for seasonal influenza. She was hospitalized on 1 February with fever and breathing difficulties, and died on 2 February. Initial investigations into the source of her exposure indicate the presence of sick and dead poultry at her home in the days prior to the onset of symptoms.

Of the 20 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 12 have been fatal.