Egypt reported the 22nd human fatality from the deadly bird flu virus that has returned to Egypt after a six-month absence ended last December. The disease has spread from East Asia and Egypt has been especially hard hit due to hits location.

Migrating birds cross Egypt because of the North African's proximity to the converging points of Europe, Asia and Africa.

The official news agency MENA reported that Wala Ahmed Abdel Galil, 30, contracted the virus after coming into contact with sick birds. She lived in the Cairo suburb of Matareya and did not respond to anti-viral drugs, the ministry of health reported.

Abdel Galil is the second Egyptian to have died this month. On April 5, the ministry reported that a 19-year-old boy had succumbed to the deadly H5N1 virus after handling sick and dead birds already having the disease.