Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 16

11 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 US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).

The case is a 10 years old female from Qena Governorate. She developed symptoms on 1 June, was admitted to hospital on 6 June and died on 9 June. Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead birds.

Of the 35 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 15 have been fatal.