Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 19

25 July 2007

The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case is a 25-year-old female from Damietta Governorate. Her infection 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). She developed symptoms on 20 July and was hospitalized the following day.

She is receiving treatment and is in a stable condition. Investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to sick and dead poultry in the week prior to onset of symptoms.

Of the 38 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 15 have been fatal.