The first cases of bird flu have been reported in a number of locations in Egypt, state television reported on Friday.
The announcement came as the government held an urgent meeting to discuss this development.
Earlier, officials said they had collected samples from chickens found dead on three poultry farms in Manbal village in Minya, some 250 kilometres south of Cairo, AFP reported. They also ordered the destruction of the poultry on the farms and tests on all individuals suspected of having came into contact with the poultry there.
Two people were admitted to hospital after examinations revealed fever symptoms, AFP added.
On Thursday, officials in the southern governorate of Qena said they had started testing chickens for avian flu after some 130 died under unexplained circumstances.
