CAIRO: Egypt said on Friday it was containing the spread of avian flu in the North African country, saying some new cases in birds had been identified but they were all in previously infected areas. The authorities have also been testing people who have been in close contact with infected birds but no human cases of virus have been found, the statement said. Many Egyptians have reacted with alarm to the outbreak of the disease and the government has had to quash rumors such as one saying the Nile itself had been contaminated with the virus. Telephone hotlines have also been jammed in recent days as anxious Egyptians seek advice on the virus. The government said in a statement that new cases of the H5N1 virus had been found in Giza, near the capital, and Damietta, on the north coast. A total of 33,000 birds were culled in those areas, it added. Both Giza and Damietta are among the 14 areas of the country were cases have previously been found. In addition, new cases were found in birds transported to Luxor from Sharkia, two areas also previously infected. To date, no positive cases of infection in the remaining governorates have been reported, a government statement said. Citing the modest number of new cases, it said: This indicates clearly that the spread of the disease among poultry is being contained. It said the 14 areas where bird flu has been found comprised 13 governorates or provinces and the city of Luxor, which has a special status. Egypt has 26 governorates. As a precaution, the government has distributed 74,000 doses of Tamiflu to hospitals around the country, it said. Tamiflu is an anti-viral designed to fight human influenza and tests show it may be effective in reducing the severity of H5N1. Reuters
