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

The first case is a 32 year-old male from Ashmon district in Menofya Governorate. He developed symptoms on 6 February and was hospitalized on 8 February, where he received oseltamivir treatment. He is in a stable condition.

The second case is a 29 year-old pregnant female from Elsadat District, Menofya Governorate. She developed symptoms on 6 February and was hospitalized on 12 February, where she received oseltamivir treatment. She died on 13 February.

Investigations into the source of infection indicated that both 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).

Egyptian authorities have also reported that 2 deaths have occurred in the previously announced cases; the 37 year-old male from Helwan District, Helwan Governorate who developed symptoms on 31 January and the 29 year-old female from Elsadat District, Menofya Governorate who developed symptoms on 27 January .

Of the 99 laboratory confirmed cases of Avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Egypt, 30 have been fatal.