Avian influenza - situation in Egypt

3 NOVEMBER 2011 - The Ministry of Health of Egypt has notified WHO of one case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The case is a 1 year-old male from Mahala district, Gharbia governorate. He developed symptoms on 17 September and was hospitalized on 21 September. He completed the course of oseltamivir, recovered and was discharged from the hospital on 25 September.

Investigations into the source of infection revealed that the case had contact with poultry raised in the neighbourhood.

The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network.

Of the 152 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 52 have been fatal.