Third case of bird flu this week confirmed in Minya

Egypt’s Health Ministry announced on Sunday that another individual has tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian flu, raising this year’s number of nationwide infections to 24, from which 10 have died. This is the third avian influenza infection amongst humans to be confirmed this week.

The latest infection is reported to be that of a 25-year-old woman in the central Egyptian governorate of Minya.

An online statement published on the Health Ministry’s official website reports that this woman had been hospitalized since December 23. She was admitted to hospital after complaining of this virus’ tell-tale symptoms: fever, coughing and body aches.

Many of the bird flu infections this year were reported in Minya Governorate. The vast majority of H5N1 infections have been reported amongst women and children who handle or raise poultry, primarily in rural parts of the country.

On Saturday, the 23rd case of H5N1 infection was confirmed - a 30-year-old woman from the Nile Delta governorate of Monufiya. This woman has been administered the Tamiflu antiviral medication and remains hospitalized.

On Wednesday, the ministry confirmed that a five year-old boy infected with the H5N1 strain of this virus succumbed to his illness and died. The boy, the 22nd victim, came from Aswan Governorate and died despite being treated at hospital for three days.  

The Ministry of Health has reported that from this year’s 24 confirmed bird flu infections, eight have fully recovered, six are hospitalized or are still being treated, while 10 have succumbed to the illness.

According to the ministry’s figures, a total of 197 individuals have tested positive for bird flu since the virus first appeared in Egypt in 2006. Of that number, 74 individuals are confirmed to have died.

In nearly nine years, the total mortality rate associated with bird flu infections is around 37.5 percent, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Health. The average global fatality rate from bird flu infections is reportedly around 55 percent.

Citing the Libyan Health Minister, Dr. Reda Awkaly, Egypt’s state-owned Middle East News Agency reported on Sunday that four individuals have died from the H5N1 strain of bird flu in Tripoli and Tobruk in the past few days. These infections, west of Egypt’s border, were reported amongst poultry farmers, and others handling live birds.

The Egyptian Health Ministry has advised those in contact with live poultry to cover their noses and mouths, and to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water after handling birds. Tamiflu is to be administered in hospitals to those suffering from the emergence of fever-like symptoms after handling poultry within 24 hours.

The ministry has set up a national hotline – 105 – to answer questions and queries pertaining to the bird flu virus in Egypt, and methods to stop it spreading.