Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia - update 3

13 February 2006

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

The first case occurred in a 22-year-old woman who developed symptoms on 25 January and died on 10 February. Her neighbours kept chickens. Samples from these chickens and from pet birds in a market near the woman’s home are being tested by Indonesia’s animal health authorities.

The second case occurred in a 27-year-old woman who developed symptoms on 31 January and died on 10 February. Deaths of chickens in her neighbourhood were reported four days prior to symptom onset.

The two women resided in different sub-districts of West Java Province.

The newly confirmed cases bring the total in Indonesia to 25. Of these, 18 were fatal.