On March 19 and March 20, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced new human cases of H5N1 avian influenza infection, both in Aswan Governorate in southern Egypt. The cases were confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 in Cairo.
A 2-year-old boy developed symptoms March 15 and was admitted to the hospital the next day. He was in stable condition on March 20. Investigations indicated a history of contact with backyard poultry.
On March 13, a 10-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital with symptoms. She was in stable condition on March 19. Investigations indicate that she had recently been exposed to sick poultry. The girl?s contacts are under observation.
According to WHO, no epidemiological link has been found between the two cases.
On March 12, the Ministry of Health and Population announced another human avian flu case, a 4-year-old boy from Ad Daqahliyah Governorate. He developed symptoms March 7, was admitted to the hospital the next day, and his condition was stable March 12.
He was exposed to sick birds during the first three days of March. The boy?s contacts are healthy and are being monitored closely.
Of the 26 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.