Egypt woman dies of H5N1-related 'complications'
Her death raises the number of bird flu fatalities in Egypt this year to nine
CAIRO
A young woman has succumbed to the H5N1 virus, commonly known as "bird flu," in southern Egypt, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.
Her death raises the number of bird flu fatalities in Egypt this year to nine, Amr Qandil, head of the Health Ministry's preventive medicine department, told The Anadolu Agency.
The deceased woman, a 20-year-old student, was hospitalized three days ago in critical condition after contracting severe pneumonia while sick with bird flu, medical sources in the southern city of Assiut said.
The young woman's death brings the official death toll from the virus since bird flu's first appearance in Egypt in 2006 to 72.
The virus caused huge losses to poultry owners and breeders when it first appeared eight years ago.
Although the avian flu is generally found in poultry, some types – which are potentially fatal – can affect humans.
H5N1 is endemic to pigeons and some other birds. The virus has caused numerous deaths in over 15 countries, especially Indonesia, Egypt and Vietnam.
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