EGYPT REPORTS FIRST HUMAN CASE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

UNCLAS CAIRO 001697

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV AMED CASC KSCA EAGR EG KFLU
SUBJECT: EGYPT REPORTS FIRST HUMAN CASE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

REF: CAIRO 01492

Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.


1. (SBU) The U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-3) in
Cairo confirmed the first reported human case of H5 Influenza
infection in Egypt in a 35-year-old woman from a village in
the governorate of Qalyoubiya, Egypt's major center of
poultry production. The woman, Amal Mohamed Ismael, died
March 17, two days after admission to Abassiya Pulmonary
Hospital. The GOE announced the death at a press conference
the morning of March 18. The GOE's official announcement can
be found at http://birdflu.sis.gov.eg/html/flu010187.htm


2. (SBU) NAMRU-3 reports that Ismael had originally denied
contact with chickens, but in fact the family had hidden
poultry in the victim's bedroom, contrary to GOE regulations
prohibiting household poultry. Ismael slaughtered some
chickens after others began dying. She originally entered
the Abassiya Fever Hospital's outpatient clinic for treatment
for a urinary tract infection, and then complained of
generalized aching. She was transferred to a different local
governorate hospital, and later to the Abassiya Pulmonary
Hospital because she had developed pneumonia. Despite the
GOE statement that the victim was treated with Tamiflu, Dr.
Yehya Sultan, director of the Abassiya Fever Hospital, told
NAMRU-3 Tamiflu was not administered.


3. (SBU) Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP)
tests indicated the woman was positive for both influenza A
and H5; NAMRU-3 confirmed this early on March 18. Results
from PCR testing to confirm N1 will take a few days.
Ismael's other family members appear to be free of the virus.
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