Bird flu case reported in Egypt

CARIO, May 11 (Prensa Latina) Egyptian authorities confirmed another human case of bird flu, after more than 25,000 pigs were killed in that country and trips to Saudi Arabia to perform Unrah pilgrimage were canceled, as preventive actions against the influenza virus A (H1N1).

A five-year old girl is the newly confirmed case of bird flu (H5N1), from direct contact with infected birds, making 69 the number of people infected with that virus, Egyptian health authorities indicated.

Same sources added that, as quoted by the MENA local news agency, three people died in 2009, victims of that virus, including a total of 26 deaths since it was detected in 2006.

Most of those infected had direct contact with domestic animals in rural areas, where more than five million families depend on poultry raising to live.

Egypt has reported no cases of influenza virus A (H1N1), initially called swine flu, and ordered the killing of more than 25,000 pigs as a preventative measure, despite World Health Organization�s assurance that the animals pose no risk of infection. The infection threat forced thousands of Egyptians to cancel bookings to Saudi Arabia, where there are holy places, including the birthplace of the Islamic religion. Many travel to Saudi Arabia in May to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.