In a follow-up to a report Sunday, the 19-year-old woman from Assiut Governorate died today from H5N1 avian influenza, becoming the second fatality reported in Egypt this year.
The woman contracted the lethal virus after coming into contact with infected birds.
The number of confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) reported to WHO since 2003 is 668, including 393 deaths (58.8% CFR).
Avian influenza is caused by those influenzaviruses that mainly affect birds and poultry, such as chickens or ducks.
Clinical presentation of avian influenza in humans includes eye infection (conjunctivitis), flu-like symptoms(e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) or severe respiratory illness (e.g. chest infection). The more virulent forms [e.g. infection by avian influenza A (H5N1, H7N9 or H10N8) viruses] can result in respiratory failure, multi-organ failure and even death.
People mainly become infected with avian influenza through close contact with infected birds and poultry (live or dead) or their droppings.
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