8 February 2010 -- The Ministry of Health of Egypt has announced two new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection.

The first case is a 40-year-old female from Banha District in Daqahliya Governorate. She developed symptoms on 31 January and was hospitalized on 2 February, where she received oseltamivir treatment. She is in stable condition.

The second case is a 29-year-old female from Elsadat District, Menofya Governorate. She developed symptoms on 27 January and was hospitalized on 3 February, where she received oseltamivir treatment. She is in a critical condition.

Investigations into the source of infection indicated that both cases had exposure to sick and dead poultry.

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

Of the 96 laboratory confirmed cases of Avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Egypt, 27 have been fatal.