By Alicia Karapetian on Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Egypt and Indonesia have confirmed new human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the nations' health ministries announced Sunday and Monday, respectively.
A 4-year-old Egyptian boy tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza Saturday, two days after being admitted to the hospital with flu-like symptoms.
Officials believe the boy, who lives in the Nile delta town of Daqahilya, contracted the virus from birds raised in his family's backyard flock.
Egypt has reported 24 human cases of HPAI, 13 of which were fatal.
Meantime, a 20-year-old Indonesian woman became the Southeast Asian nation's 85th human case of HPAI after she came into contact with dead and infected chickens.
Indonesia has reported 64 fatalities as a result of HPAI infections.