FACTBOX-WHO figures for bird flu cases in humans
Feb 20 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed on Wednesday the death of a 22-year-old Chinese man from the central province of Hunan from the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Of the 28 cases confirmed to date in China, 18 have been fatal. There have been 228 human deaths globally from the H5N1 strain and 362 confirmed cases of infection since 2003, according to WHO data.
Following is a list of confirmed human cases of H5N1. Total cases include survivors.
Deaths Total cases AZERBAIJAN 5 8 CAMBODIA 7 7 CHINA 18 28 DJIBOUTI 0 1 EGYPT 19 43 INDONESIA 103 127 IRAQ 2 3 LAOS 2 2 MYANMAR 0 1 NIGERIA 1 1 PAKISTAN 1 1 THAILAND 17 25 TURKEY 4 12 VIETNAM 49 103 ------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 228 362 -------------------------------------------------
The H5N1 virus remains mainly a virus of birds, but experts fear it could change into a form easily transmitted from person to person and sweep the world, killing millions.
So far, most human cases can be traced to direct or indirect contact with infected birds.
Initial tests usually take a day or two to confirm if someone has H5N1. More detailed testing by government laboratories or those affiliated with the WHO can take a week or more. (Writing by David Cutler and Keith Weir, London Editorial Reference Unit)
