march 07 Health Alerts

The Ministry of Health in China has reported a new fatal case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed by the national laboratory.

The 16-year-male from Anhui province developed fever and pneumonia-like symptoms on 17 March and was hospitalized on 20 March. He died on 27 March.

There is no initial indication to suggest he had contact with sick birds prior to becoming unwell and investigations to identify the source of his exposure are ongoing. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation and all remain well.

Of the 24 cases confirmed to date in China, 15 have been fatal.

© World Health Organization 2007. All rights reserved

Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 12

28/03/07

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case has been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).The 3-year-old girl from Aswan Governorate developed symptoms on 22 March and was hospitalised on 24 March where she remains in a stable condition. Investigations indicate a history of contact with backyard poultry. The case is not linked epidemiologically to either of the two recent cases in Aswan Governorate that were announced on 19 March and on 20 March.Of the 27 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.

© World Health Organization 2007. All rights reserved

Army troops have been called out to assist police in constant monitoring after the first Bangladesh cases bird flu were found in several farms in the Savar area in the eastern part of the country. Government action within a day of the detection involved extensive culling and health inspections of people on the affected farms.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).

The 10-year-old girl from Aswan Governorate, was admitted to hospital with symptoms on 13 March and her condition remains stable. Investigations indicate that she had recently been exposed to sick poultry. Contacts of the girl are being kept under observation.

Of the 25 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.

© World Health Organization 2007. All rights reserved

The Ministry of Health in Lao People's Democratic Republic has reported a second human case of infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case was fatal.

The 42-year-old female was from Saka village, Pong Hong district in Vientiane province. She developed fever 26 February and was hospitalized in Vientiane Provincial hospital on 28 February and then transferred to Sethathirat hospital on 1 March. She died on 4 March. Tests taken during an investigation to determine the source of exposure have found a duck positive for H5 in the woman's household. Close family and hospital contacts are being monitored and to date, none has shown signs of infection.

© World Health Organization 2007. All rights reserved

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).

The 4-year-old boy was from Ad Daqahliyah Governorate. He developed symptoms on 7 March 2007, was admitted to hospital on 8 March and his condition remains stable. The boy was exposed to sick birds during the first three days of March. Contacts of the boy remain healthy and are being closely monitored.

Of the 24 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.

© World Health Organization 2007. All rights reserved

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture has reported that ill and dying poultry from a market in Lhasa have tested positive for the bird flu virus. Control measures include closure of market, a cull of poultry in the market, disinfecting the area, inspections of poultry markets and monitoring of wild birds to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

The Ministry of Health in Lao People's Democratic Republic has confirmed the country's first death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 15-year-old female from Vientiane, whose infection was announced 27 February, died on 7 March after being hospitalized in neighbouring Thailand.

The last outbreak in Myanmar was in March 2006. Authorities have now confirmed finding the H5N1 virus infection in fowls on small farms in the vicinity of the capital Yangon. Extensive culling has occurred. There is no sign of spread to humans.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).The 4-year-old girl was from Dakahlea Governorate. She developed symptoms on 25 February, was admitted to hospital on 26 February and her condition remains stable. The girl was exposed to sick birds at her home one week prior to the onset of symptoms. Contacts of the girl remain healthy and are being closely monitored.

Of the 23 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 13 have been fatal.

The Ministry of Health in China has reported one case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.The case is a 44-year-old woman from Jian'ou county, Fujian province. She became ill with fever and pneumonia on 18 February and was hospitalized on 22 February where she remains in critical condition. The case was laboratory confirmed by the Fujian provincial laboratory on 26 February and by the national laboratory the next day. Information provided to WHO indicates that she is a farmer who kept birds in her back yard and was possibly exposed to sick birds. An investigation is under way to determine if this exposure was the source of her infection. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation.

Of the 23 cases confirmed to date in China, 14 have been fatal.