FACTBOX-WHO figures for bird flu cases in humans
Source: Reuters
Dec 27 (Reuters) - An Egyptian man died of bird flu on Wednesday, the third member of his extended family to die of the virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported. It was the 10th death from bird flu in Egypt since an outbreak of the virus started in February. The virus has killed 157 people since 2003, according to WHO. At least 200 million birds have died or been culled. Following is a list of confirmed human cases of H5N1 from WHO in Geneva. Total cases include survivors. Deaths Total cases AZERBAIJAN 5 8 CAMBODIA 6 6 CHINA 14 21 DJIBOUTI 0 1 EGYPT 10 18 INDONESIA 57 74 IRAQ 2 3 THAILAND 17 25 TURKEY 4 12 VIETNAM 42 93 ------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 157 261 ------------------------------------------------- Initial testing usually takes 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. The H5N1 virus remains mainly a virus of birds, but experts fear it could change into a form easily transmitted from person to person and sweep the world, killing millions within weeks or months. So far, most human cases can be traced to direct or indirect contact with infected birds.
| AlertNet news is provided by |  |
