8 April 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 a 19-year-old male from Kafr El-Dawar District, Behera governorate. He developed symptoms on 30 March was hospitalized on 31 March and died on 4 April. The case was confirmed as being infected with A(H5N1) by the Central Public Health Laboratories and by Cairo-based US Naval Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU-3) .

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

Of the 48 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 21 have been fatal.