28 January 2010 -- The Ministry of Health of Egypt has announced four new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection. The cases are not linked epidemiologically.

The first case is a 20-year-old female from Baniswief governorate. She developed symptoms on 6 January and was hospitalized on 11 January, where she received oseltamivir treatment.

The second case is a 1-year-old male from Dakahalya governorate. He developed symptoms on 7 January and was hospitalized on 12 January, where he received oseltamivir treatment.

The third case is a 3-year-old male from Assuit governorate. He developed symptoms on 19 January and was hospitalized on 21 January, where he received oseltamivir treatment.

The fourth case is a 45-year-old male from Shargea governorate. He developed symptoms on 12 January and was hospitalized on 19 January, where he received oseltamivir treatment.

All four are currently in a stable condition in hospital. Investigations into the source of infection indicated that all four cases had exposure to sick and dead poultry.

The cases were confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network (GISN).

Of the 94 laboratory confirmed cases of Avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Egypt, 27 have been fatal.