The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has notified WHO of one case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The case is a 31 year-old female from Meet Salseel district, Dakahlia governorate. She developed symptoms on 10 November 2011 and was hospitalized on 16 November 2011. She is in critical condition and is provided with ventilation support.

Investigations into the source of infection revealed that the case had exposure to sick and dead poultry in her backyard.

The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network on 21 November 2011.

Of the 153 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 52 have been fatal.