Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 18

25 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 male from Qena Governorate. He developed symptoms on 20 June and was admitted to hospital on 21 June. He is receiving treatment and is in a stable condition. Initial investigations into the source of his infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.

Of the 37 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 15 have been fatal.