CAIRO
A young man on Wednesday succumbed to the H5N1 avian influenza virus – commonly known as "bird flu" – in Egypt's central Minya province, the Health Ministry has said.
In a statement, the ministry added that a 26-year-old man had died of the virus, bringing this year's total H5N1 fatalities in Egypt to seven and raising the country's total H5N1 death toll since the virus first hit in 2006 to 70.
"The victim had suffered fever and respiratory difficulties," the ministry stated, noting that he had been admitted to hospital before breathing his last.
Fourteen Egyptians in total have contracted H5N1 since the beginning of 2014, according to the Health Ministry.
Since first appearing in Egypt in 2006, avian influenza has caused huge economic losses to poultry farmers and breeders.
Although the virus is generally confined to poultry, some strains can infect humans and are potentially fatal.
The virus has caused numerous deaths in over 15 countries, especially Indonesia, Egypt and Vietnam.
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