CAIRO
A 37-year-old woman died on Thursday after contracting the bird flu, the Egyptian Health Ministry has said.
In a statement, the ministry added that the latest fatality was the seventh to occur this year.
Thursday's fatality brings total bird flu deaths in Egypt to 81 since the virus first appeared in 2006, according to Health Ministry figures.
The H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu, caused huge losses to poultry owners and breeders when it first appeared in the country eight 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.
