Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 24

20 November 2009 -- The Ministry of Health of Egypt has reported a new confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5N1).

The case is a 21 year-old male from Sedy Beshir District, Alexandria Governorate. His symptoms started on 11 November. He was admitted to Maamoura Chest Hospital on 15 November, where he received oseltamivir treatment. The patient is in a stable condition.

Investigations into the source of infection indicated that the case had close contact with dead and/or sick poultry and was involved in slaughtering sick birds.

The cases were confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories.

Of the 88 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 27 have been fatal.