Dec 27 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a 25-year-old Egyptian woman has died from the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

There have been 211 human deaths globally from the H5N1 strain and 342 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 CAMBODIA 7 7 CHINA 17 27 DJIBOUTI 0 1 EGYPT 16 39 INDONESIA 94 116 IRAQ 2 3 LAOS 2 2 MYANMAR 0 1 NIGERIA 1 1 THAILAND 17 25 TURKEY 4 12 VIETNAM 46 100 ------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 211 342 -------------------------------------------------

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.

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 and Keith Weir, London Editorial Reference Unit)

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