The Health Ministry affirmed that it is closely following up the epidemic situation of the bird flu virus throughout Egypt's governorates.

In a statement, the ministry said that there is close cooperation with the veterinary medicine, which is affiliated to the Agriculture Ministry to report any bird flu spots nationwide.

As many as 24,000 bird flu suspected cases have been reported since November, added the ministry, adding that all the samples have turned out to be negative.

Regarding news published in a number of newspapers and websites on the detection of nine suspected cases of bird flu in Sohag governorate and 17 cases of swine flu in Assiut governorate, the ministry said that six cases have been infected with influenza virus along with one death in Sohag since the beginning of this month and until today.

As for Assiut governorate, the total number of confirmed cases of influenza virus reached 14 until January, including 2 deaths, added the ministry.

Avian influenza – also called bird flu or fowl plague – is a viral disease that infects birds, especially wild geese and ducks.

Most cases of bird flu in Egypt have been found in rural areas, where villagers tend to raise poultry in their homes, increasing exposure to live or dead infected birds.