Health Minister Dr Hatem el-Gabaly said that Egypt has a strategic reserve of anti-bird flu "Tamiful" drug estimated at 2.5 million. He referred that the central labs of the Ministry have all the capabilities to examine the samples taken from the suspected persons.

Gabaly urged citizens, however, to be extra cautious when dealing with live poultry.

Bird flu deaths in Egypt are the world's lowest. Of a total of 43 bird flu patients, only 19 have perished so far, the minister said.

He pointed out that death rates in Egypt of bird flue patients are still the lowest in the world as they reached in Egypt 44% while they are 62% all over the world.

11/1/2008