From March to May 2013, the Ministry of Health and Population in Egypt has reported three new cases of human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus to WHO.
The first case was a 40-year-old female, from Bagoor district of Menofia governorate. She developed symptoms on 3 March, was admitted to Menoof fever hospital on 8 March. She recovered fully. The second case was a 26-year-old male, from Elmanzala district of Dakahliya governorate. He developed symptoms on 30 March 2013, was admitted at Aleman private hospital on 5 April and died on 8 April.
The third case was a 25-year-old female, from Gohina district of Sohag governorate. She developed symptoms on 25 April 2013, was admitted to a private hospital on 29 April in critical condition. She passed away on 5 May 2013.
The laboratory-confirmation of all these cases were done at the Central Public Health Laboratory in Cairo under the Ministry of Health and Population which is a national influenza centre of WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. Field investigation into the source of infection revealed that both the cases had close contact with sick and dead backyard poultry before they developed the symptoms. With these three new cases, a total of 173 cases, including 63 deaths were reported in Egypt from avian influenza A(H5N1).
Figure 1. Cases of avian influenza, Egypt, 2006–2013 (n=173)
Related links
Weekly Epidemiological Monitor on new case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in Egypt
Influenza at the human–animal interface
