10.01.2015

Influenza A(H5N1) has been circulating in domestic poultry in Egypt since its introduction in 2006 and has
been the source of sporadic human infections. The number of cases reported in Egypt in 2014 is higher than compared to 2013, although in the same range as in 2012, but the number of laboratory-confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection reported in November 2014 by Egypt is the highest ever reported for that month. The locations of the reported cases of A(H5N1) in humans match the locations of outbreaks in backyard poultry and, in addition, the reported human cases had direct exposure to infected poultry. According to a WHO update published on 4 December 2014, and since the last WHO update dated 2 October 2014, eight new human cases of influenza A(H5N1) have been reported in Egypt, with onset of disease in November 2014, bringing the total for 2014 to 12. Additionally, the Egyptian authorities reported an overall number of 20 confirmed cases for 2014, not all WHO confirmed yet. As of 22 December 2014, a total of 20 confirmed cases due to A(H5N1), including nine fatalities, have been reported for 2014 by the Egyptian Ministry of Health. A median age of 22 years was observed, ranging from 1.4 to 56 years. Fourteen cases were female and fourteen reside in rural areas. Most cases reported contact with apparently healthy, sick, or dead backyard poultry. The recently reported increase of human cases of A(H5N1) infection from Egypt in November 2014 might be due to an increase in the circulation of A(H5N1) in backyard poultry and exposure to infected poultry across Egypt. Identification of such sporadic cases or small clusters are not unexpected as avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses are known to be circulating in poultry in the country.