Jan 7 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation confirmed on Wednesday the death of a 19-year-old Chinese female who died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu on Jan. 5.

Of the 31 cases confirmed to date in China, 21 have been fatal.

There have been 248 human deaths globally from the H5N1 strain and 393 confirmed cases of infection since 2003, according to WHO data.

Following is a list of confirmed human cases of H5N1. Total cases include survivors.

Deaths Total cases AZERBAIJAN 5 8 BANGLADESH 0 1 CAMBODIA 7 8 CHINA 21 31 DJIBOUTI 0 1 EGYPT 23 51 INDONESIA 113 139 IRAQ 2 3 LAOS 2 2 MYANMAR 0 1 NIGERIA 1 1 PAKISTAN 1 3 THAILAND 17 25 TURKEY 4 12 VIETNAM 52 107 ------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 248 393 -------------------------------------------------

The H5N1 virus remains mainly a bird virus. Experts are monitoring it for signs of mutation into a form easily transmitted from person to person, a development which could trigger a deadly pandemic.

So far, most human cases can be traced to direct or indirect contact with infected birds.

Initial tests usually take a day or two to confirm if someone has H5N1. More detailed testing by government laboratories or those affiliated with the WHO can take a week or more. (Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit)

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