5 March 2008

The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case is an 11-year-old male from Menof District, Menofia Governorate. He was hospitalized with symptoms on 26 February and was confirmed as being infected with A(H5N1) by the Central Public Health Laboratory and NAMRU-3 on 4 March. He remains in a critical condition.

Investigations into the source of his infection indicate a history of contact with sick and dead poultry.

Of the 46 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 20 have been fatal.