Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia

9 January 2007

The Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed an additional two cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The first newly-confirmed case is a 14 year old male from West Jakarta. He developed symptoms on 31 December 2006 and was hospitalized on 4 January 2007. He remains hospitalized. Deaths among poultry in the neighbourhood have recently been reported. The source of exposure is currently under investigation.

The second case is a 37 year old female from Tangerang, Banten Province. She developed symptoms on 1 January 2007 and was hospitalized on 6 January 2007. She remains in intensive care. Initial investigations suggest sick poultry as the possible source of infection.

Of the 76 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 57 have been fatal.