The 24th human case infected with bird flu was recorded Saturday, when an Egyptian child was diagnosed positive of the disease this evening by health officials.

Mohammad Ibrahim, four, of al-Daqhalia governorate north of the capital Cairo, was suffering from high temperature when admitted to hospital, as his tests came positive of the avian influenza, Egyptian health ministry said in a statement.

Thirteen human death cases were reported since the virulent virus infiltrated in Egypt in February 2006, in addition to substantial economic loses suffered by poultry business.

Since the virus re-emerged in Asia in 2003, outbreaks have been confirmed in around 50 countries and territories, according to data from the World Organization for Animal Health.

The virus has killed 168 people since 2003, according to World Health Organization (WHO). Countries with confirmed human deaths are: Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.