WHO: Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 8

23 March 2009 -- The Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt has reported a new confirmed human case of Avian Influenza. The case is a 38-year old female from Elfath District, Assiut Governorate. Her symptoms started with a fever and headache on March 14. She was admitted to Assiut Fever Hospital on March 14 where she was started on oseltamivir the same day (March 14) and remains in a stable condition. Infection with H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed on 18 March by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory.

Investigations into the source of her infection indicate a history of close contact with dead and sick poultry prior to becoming ill.

Of the 59 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 23 have been fatal.