Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia – update 44

10 September 2008 -- The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has retrospectively announced two confirmed cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The first case, a 38 year old male from Tangerang Municipality, Banten Province developed symptoms on 4 July 2008, was hospitalized on 9 July and died on 10 July. There were free roaming poultry throughout his neighbourhood, including a commercial poultry pen owned by a neighbour.

The second case, a 20 year old male from Tangerang District, Banten Province developed symptoms on 20 July, was hospitalized on 29 July, and died on 31 July. Reports indicate that chickens from the case's household had died in the week preceding the onset of his symptoms and that he had slaughtered and consumed some of his stock during this period.

Of the 137 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 112 have been fatal.