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H5N1 Confirmed in Egypt
Recombinomics Commentary
February 17, 2006
The first cases of bird flu have been detected in a number of regions in Egypt
Earlier, officials said they had collected samples from chickens found dead on three poultry farms in Manbal village in Minya, some 250 kilometres (155 miles) south of Cairo.
On Thursday officials in the southern governorate of Qena said they had began testing chickens for avian flu after some 130 died under unexplained circumstances at a number of homes.
The above comments indicate that H5N1 is widespread In Egypt (see map). WHO officials indicated H5N1 was confirmed in three areas, but the H5N1 is likely to be more widespread. As more countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa acknowledge H5N1 in wild birds and poultry, denials by neighboring countries raise questions on transparency and surveillance.
H5N1 migrated into Europe in the fall and then passed through the Middle East while migrating into Africa.
The delays and continued delays in reporting H5N1 in the three regions above are cause for concern.
Map
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