EGYPT: 19TH HUMAN AVIAN INFLUENZA CASE SHOWS NO

UNCLAS CAIRO 000154 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR NEA/ELA, AND AIAG FOR WINN AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU KSTH TBIO ECON PREL WHO EG SUBJECT: EGYPT: 19TH HUMAN AVIAN INFLUENZA CASE SHOWS NO SIGN OF TAMIFLU RESISTANCE REF: CAIRO 130 Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) Scientists at NAMRU-3 reported to Emboff on January 21 that the H5N1 avian influenza virus responsible for the death of an Egyptian woman on January 19 does not contain the genetic mutation (N294S) that shows resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu). (Note: On January 16, alarm bells sounded when the CDC confirmed that two H5N1 deaths in Gharbiya in late December (reftel) showed a mutation indicating moderate resistance to Tamiflu. End Note.) NAMRU-3 officials informed counterparts at the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) of the most recent finding, who breathed a sigh of relief for the time being as Egypt has stockpiled massive amounts of Tamiflu, a primary defense against the avian influenza virus. ¶2. (U) The latest victim was a twenty-seven year old housewife from Biba City in the central Egyptian governorate of Beni Suef who had been raising hens in her home. She was admitted to the El-Omrania chest hospital in Giza on January 13 with pneumonia-like symptoms. The patient was administered Tamiflu, but succumbed to the disease, bringing the total number of deaths to 11 out of 19 confirmed cases since February 2006. Worldwide, H5N1 has a 60% mortality rate, including those administered Tamiflu. ¶3. (SBU) Following the CDC's January 16 confirmation of Tamiflu resistance in the Gharbiya cases (reftel),the WHO issued a press release stating, "at this time there is not indication at oseltamivir (Tamilflu) resistance is widespread in Egypt or elsewhere," and noted that the public health ramifications are limited. Human-to-human transmission in Egypt has not been confirmed in any of the 19 cases to date. While Tamiflu resistance still cannot be characterized as widespread, NAMRU, in conjunction with MOHP, will closely monitor all emerging AI cases for this and other mutations. RICCIARDONE