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Over the past three days we’ve seen 3 H5N1 human infections announced out of Egypt; one child and two adults (see here and here). It should be noted that this is not the same (H5N8) strain that has recently turned up in Europe, which is believed to present a vastly lower public health threat.
On Monday we learned that the first adult announced– a 19 y.o. – had died. Late yesterday, it was announced that the second adult (age 30) had died as well.
While the reasons aren’t well understood, the pattern of H5N1 infection in Egypt differs from the rest of the world. Not only has Egypt’s CFR (Case Fatality Rate) consistently run half that of most Asian nations, they often report milder cases, and greater survival rates, among children (see Eurosurveillance Age-specific infection and death rates for human A(H5N1) avian influenza in Egypt.)
Although we see frequent reports of H5N1 outbreaks in commercial flocks in Egypt, most of the human infections have come from home-raised birds, and the result has been that most of the victims have been housewives and their children.
Despite the risks, government attempts to curtail the raising of backyard poultry have met with considerable resistance.
Two reports this morning. The first from Reuters on the second fatality, and the second a local media report on the distribution of the antiviral oseltamivir (Tamiflu ®) to local hospitals and clinics as part of their response.
Egyptian woman dies of bird flu, second death in two days
Published on Nov 19, 2014 6:24 AM
CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian woman died on Tuesday of H5N1 bird flu after coming into contact with infected birds, the second death from the disease in two days and the third death in the country this year, state newspaper Al-Ahram reported.
Eastern Health: we provided "Tamiflu" in all hospitals to cope with bird flu
Wednesday, November 19th, 2014 - 7:05 Tamiflu East - Iman Muhanna
Dr Ahmad Fawzi, Director of Preventive Sharqia Medicine, said, "It's been taking preventive measures to curb bird flu in the case of his appearance," asserting that the drug "Tamiflu" is available in hospitals to handle speed in the case of the emergence of any case infected, and also room for insulation, has been prepared for the same purpose.
The "MFE" in a special statement, that he was forming operations room at the Diwan of the Directorate for the speed to deal with any situation proves positive own analyzes, and provide the necessary treatment even have similar healing, and that neighbor organizing a number of lectures and seminars to raise awareness against generally viral diseases in schools,
