# 6053
The World Health Organization this morning has posted updates on China’s recent H5N1 fatality (see Shenzhen Bird Flu Suspect Dies) and the details on a new Egyptian fatality as well.
First, the Chinese case.
Avian influenza - situation in China - update 6
5 January 2012 - The Ministry of Health of China has notified WHO of a human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection.
The case is a 39-year-old male from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. He developed symptoms on 21 December 2011 and was admitted to hospital on 25 December 2011. He was in critical condition and died on 31 December 2011. The case was laboratory diagnosed by Guangdong CDC on 30 December 2011 and confirmed by China CDC on 31 December 2011. Investigation into the source of infection is ongoing. Close contacts of the case are being monitored and to date all remain well.
Of the 41 cases confirmed to date in China, 27 have been fatal.
Next from Egypt, another case from late last year.
Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 60
5 January 2012 - The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has notified WHO of a case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.
The case is a 42 year-old male from Menofia Governorate. He developed symptoms on 16 December 2011 and was admitted to hospital on 21 December 2011, where he received oseltamivir treatment. He was in critical condition and died on 22 December 2011.
The case was confirmed by the Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Centre of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network, on 24 December 2011.
Investigations into the source of infection indicated that the case had exposure to sick and dead backyard poultry.
Of the 157 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 55 have been fatal.
Bird flu remains primarily a threat to poultry - as the virus remains poorly adapted to human physiology. Despite ample opportunities to cause illness in humans, the virus only causes rare, sporadic infections.
The concern, of course, is that over time that may change. That the virus will mutate into a form that is easily acquired and passed on by humans.
And so we watch developments in places where the virus is endemic with particular interest.
