The Spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Abdul Rahman Shahine said on 8/10/2008 that it was agreed to act immediately to implement the project of producing the vaccine of bird flu in Egypt. Shahine added that the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) is named to manufacture the vaccine under world technology and scientific steps would be taken in this respect in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The spokesman said the Higher Committee for Combating Bird Flu has decided in its latest meeting under Minister of Agriculture Amin Abaza to transfer the chairmanship of the committee from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Local Development under Abdul Salam el-Mahgoub. He added that the committee has reviewed the stance of the disease concerning cases among birds where 13 infection spots were reported on May 27. Shahine noted that the committee has reviewed the activities of the early detection of bird flu cases in 10 governorates and samples were reported negative. He also confirmed the importance of the regular vaccination of birds where the fourth campaign will start next month.

As for the situation in Egypt on bird flu cases among humans, the spokesman said no human injury has been reported since April, thus the number remains 50 human cases: 28 recovered and 22 died.

9/10/2008