30 March 2010 -- The Ministry of Health of Egypt has announced two new human cases of A(H5N1) avian influenza infection.

The first case was announced on 28 March and is a 30 year-old female from Damietta district, Damietta Governorate. The case was admitted to hospital on 24 March where she received oseltamivir treatment. She is in a critical condition.

The second case was announced on 21 March and is a 4 year-old male from Beba district, Beni Suaif Governorate . The case was admitted to hospital on 18 March where he received oseltamivir treatment. He died on 24 March.

Investigations into the source of infection indicated that both cases had exposure to sick and dead poultry.

The cases were confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network (GISN).

Of the 108 laboratory confirmed cases of Avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Egypt, 33 have been fatal.