Bird Flu Spreads In Egypt As Tenth Person Dies

Authorities have confirmed that a tenth person has died of H5N1 bird flu infection in Egypt. A man, aged, 26, is the third person to die so far over the last four days. He was admitted to hospital with bird flu like symptoms, and died ten days later in hospital. Bird flu also killed a 15-year-old girl last Monday as well as a woman, aged 30, on Sunday. All three victims were biologically related and lived in the province of Gharbiya.

All three victims lived in the same house, along with 27 other relatives, said Egyptian authorities. The backyard of the house had a large number of ducks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the family members became ill after slaughtering the ducks in an attempt to stem the spread of bird flu in the area. Tests revealed that at least three of the ducks were infected with the virulent H5N1 bird flu virus strain.

Last February Egypt experienced a wave of bird flu infections, which died down around May. Many thought the problem had gone. The current outbreak is a major setback for many people in the country who depend on backyard poultry for their sustenance.

So far, other family members who live in the same house are healthy, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. The Ministry is carrying out further investigations.

Egypt is in the flight path of several migratory birds. This concerns scientists and health care professionals as it could mean a greater risk of the H5N1 virus strain finding its way into other countries.

Controlling the spread of an outbreak is more difficult in countries where backyard poultry is common. All households need to be educated, and then cooperate with authorities. If mass culls need to be done, it is only effective if every household cooperates.

There is no evidence from this latest outbreak that the H5N1 bird flu virus strain has mutated and become more transmissible from human-to-human.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today