Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 17

12 June 2007

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has confirmed a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case has been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the WHO H5 Reference Laboratory, US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).

The case is a 4 years old female from Qena Governorate. She developed symptoms on 7 June and was admitted to hospital on 10 June. She is receiving treatment and is in a stable condition. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead birds.

Of the 36 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 15 have been fatal.