Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia - update 5

27 February 2006

The Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed an additional case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case, which was fatal, occurred in a 27-year-old woman from West Java Province. She developed symptoms on 13 February and died on 20 February.

Investigations carried out by local authorities found reports of chicken deaths in the woman’s neighbourhood four days prior to her onset of symptoms.

The newly confirmed case brings the total in Indonesia to 27. Of these, 20 were fatal.