The Ministry of Health of Egypt has announced five new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection.

The first case is a 53 year-old male from Shobra Elkhima district, Qaliobia Governorate. He developed symptoms on 27 February and was hospitalized on 27 February, where he received oseltamivir treatment. He is in a critical condition.

The second case is a 1 year-old male from Banha district, Qaliobia Governorate. He developed symptoms on 22 February and was hospitalized on 23 February, where he received oseltamivir treatment. He is in a stable condition. 

The third case is a 10 year-old male from Meet Ghamr district, Dakalia Governorate. He developed symptoms on 10 February and was hospitalized on 14 February, where he received oseltamivir treatment. He is in a moderate condition. 

The fourth case is a 30 year-old female from Kellin District, Kafr El-Sheik Governorate. She developed symptoms on 10 February and was hospitalized on 11 February, where she received oseltamivir treatment. She is in stable condition. 

The fifth case is a 13 year-old male from Kafr El-Sheik District, Kafr El-Sheik Governorate. He developed symptoms on 10 February and was hospitalized on 14 February where he received oseltamivir treatment. He is in stable condition.

Investigations into the source of infection indicated that the five 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 104 laboratory confirmed cases of Avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Egypt, 30 have been fatal.

www.who.int/csr/don/2010_03_04/en/index.html