Human Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Djibouti

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Article Date: 12 May 2006 - 10:00 PDT

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The Djibouti Ministry of Health has confirmed that a 2-year-old girl is infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus strain. The girl is from a village in the Arta district. On the 23rd April she started to exhibit bird flu like symptoms. Doctors say her condition is 'stable'. A further three human cases are currently being investigated.

Djobouti is on the north-east coast of Africa, it neighbours Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, and faces Yemen across the sea. It is situated between the western edge of the Gulf of Aden, and the entrance to the Red Sea. Click here to see a map.

This is the first human case of bird flu confirmed in the Horn of Africa. Tests were confirmed by the US Naval Medical Research Unit 3, based in Cairo.

The girl has three siblings. Samples from the siblings have been sent for testing.

Some chickens died of bird flu infection in Djibouti at the beginning of April this year.

Authorities are surveying the area around the girl's home for further human and animal cases. Unfortunately, the country's resources are extremely limited, and without outside help, would become overwhelmed if more cases were found.

Djibouti is also experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever. This makes it hard to separate cases of H5N1 infection and dengue fever.

Djibouti is a country where backyard poultry is common.

The World Health Organization is responding to a Ministry of Health appeal for urgent support.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today