A woman who was diagnosed with bird flu has died in Egypt, the second fatality from the H5N1 virus this year in the country.

Egypt has reported seven bird flu cases so far in 2014. Most victims have been women and children who are traditionally tasked with caring for domestic poultry.

The woman was a 19-year-old who raised chickens at home, said Ahmed Abdel-Hamid in the southern city of Assiut.

He said she was admitted to hospital on November 10 and died today.

Health Ministry official Amr Kandil said the earlier fatality was in June. Since 2006, there have been 64 bird flu deaths in Egypt.

The H5N1 virus is hard to catch but has remained a threat. Most cases have been linked to contact with poultry.