Description of the situation
The Ministry of Health of Egypt has announced four new confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus.
The first case is a 20 years old female from Behaira Governorate. She developed symptoms on 14 March and was hospitalized on 19 March. She was in a critical condition and died on 28 March.
The second case is a two years old female from Menofeya Governorate. She developed symptoms on 26 March and was hospitalized on 27 March. She is still under treatment and in a stable condition.
The third case is a 55 year old female from Behaira Governorate. She developed symptoms on 20 March and was hospitalized on 22 March. She recovered and was discharged on 5 April.
The fourth case is a 1 year old male from Fayoum Governorate He developed symptoms on 20 March and was hospitalized on 28 March. He is still under treatment and in a stable condition.
All the cases received oseltamivir treatment at the time of hospitalization.
Investigations into the source of infection indicate that the cases had exposure to sick and/or dead poultry suspected to have avian influenza.
The cases were confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network.
Of the 141 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 46 have been fatal.