6 May 2015 – A total of 342 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) were reported in Egypt between March 2006 and 30 April 2015. Of these cases, 115 were fatal (case–fatality rate: 33.6%).
The country has been experiencing a surge of human cases since November 2014. A total of 165 cases, including 48 deaths (case–fatality rate: 29%) were reported between 1 November 2014 to 30 April 2015. Cases have been reported from 21 out of 29 governorates in the country.
Among cases reported during the recent surge, females (60%) comprised of majority of cases and reported a higher death rate (30%) compared to males (27%), while children in the under-5 years age group (29%) and those in the age group of 30 to 45 years (30%) were most at risk of acquiring the infection. However, children in the under-5 years age group had the lowest case–fatality rate (6%).
There is significant variation in the death rate between those who received antiviral treatment within 48 hours compared to those who received treatment after 48 hours (17% versus 35%).
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Avian influenza A(H5N1) update, 30 April 2015