Egypt: Second woman dies of bird flu on Monday

Egyptian health officials reported the deaths Monday of two women from bird flu, bringing to 19 the number of the country's fatalities since the lethal H5N1 strain first appeared here last year.

The deaths, along with those of two other women just days ago, bring to four the number of women who died from the strain in a single week. Egypt's Ministry of Health reported a total number of 43 H5N1 infections in the country, including the 19 fatalities. Most of the fatalities have been women or girls whose families raise poultry in backyards and who had daily contact with chickens or turkeys. (AP)