CAIRO

 An Egyptian woman died on Sunday of the avian influenza virus, the Health Ministry has said.

The ministry said, in a statement, that the woman, 22, was from the central province of Fayoum.

The woman's death brings to 86 the number of total bird flu fatalities in Egypt since the virus first hit this populous country in 2006, according to the Health Ministry.

This is also the 12th fatality from the virus this year.

The H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu, caused huge losses to poultry owners and breeders when it first appeared in the country nine years ago.

Although the avian flu is generally found in poultry, some types – which are potentially fatal – can affect humans as well.

H5N1 is endemic to pigeons and some other birds. The virus has caused numerous deaths in over 15 countries, especially Indonesia, Egypt and Vietnam