An Egyptian woman from Beni Sueif, south of Cairo, died of bird flu, Health Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday 26/12/2007.

Abdel-Rahman Shahin said Ola Younis Ali Mohamed, 25, was the 39th case of infection and the 16th death case since the first case of bird flu was discovered in Egypt early 2006.

She tested bird flu positive on Tuesday, he said, adding that she died on the same day at Beni Sueif Public Hospital.

She contracted the disease as she was in direct contact with infected poultry kept at home, he said.

Her family members are now under medical inspection