Girl dies from bird flu in Egypt

A 16-year-old girl has died after becoming infected with a strain of bird flu in Egypt, according to global health leaders.

The teenager is the 23rd life claimed by avian influenza in the country since 2003 out of 51 cases.

Egyptian officials said the girl from the Assuit Governorate in Upper Egypt was admitted to hospital on December 11th with symptoms of the bird flu virus.

She was transferred to Assuit University Hospital, but died yesterday.

A US Naval Medical research team confirmed Egyptian authorities' diagnosis from the H5N1 strain on Monday.

Investigations suggest she had come into contact with sick or dead poultry.

This year, half of the eight bird flu cases reported to the World Health Organization in Egypt resulted in death.

Indonesia has suffered the worst death toll from avian influenza this year, with the virus infecting 22 and killing 18.

Bird flu is usually passed onto humans who come into close contact with infected birds through rearing or meat preparation.

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