Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 9

19 March 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 10-year-old girl from Aswan Governorate, was admitted to hospital with symptoms on 13 March and her condition remains stable. Investigations indicate that she had recently been exposed to sick poultry. Contacts of the girl are being kept under observation.

Of the 25 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.