18 Suspected Cases of Avian Influenza Identified in WestJava

JAKARTA, August 22, 2006 – A team of experts has now identified 18 suspected human cases of H5N1 avian influenza in Cikelet, Garut District, West Java, the Ministry of Health announced today during a press conference conducted by the Indonesia National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic and Influenza Preparedness (Komnas FPBI). Three of those cases have been confirmed positive for the H5N1 virus. The most recent confirmed case, a 35-year-old woman, was hospitalized with severe respiratory disease on 17 August and died shortly after admission, the Ministry of Health announced today. Another confirmed case from Cikelet, a nine-year-old girl, died on August 15, while a 17-year-old male from the area is recovering from the illness.

A coordinated effort to contain the H5N1 outbreak in Cikelet continues. The Ministry of Agriculture said that some 2,496 chickens in total would be culled by the end of today in an effort to stop transmission of the disease, and more animals are to be culled. The anti-viral drug Tamiflu continues to be distributed free of charge to residents who live in high-risk areas.

“We have to be proactive. We have to be faster than the virus,” said Bayu Krisnamurthi, Chief Executive of Komnas FBPI. Komnas FBPI works with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Health Organization and Provincial and District governments to coordinate Indonesia’s response to the avian influenza threat.

Dr. I Nyoman Kandun, Director General for Disease Control and Environment al Health at the Ministry of Health, announced today that 2,400 people-in-all in Cikelet will be administered anti-viral drugs as a preventative measure. House-to-house surveillance for people exhibiting symptoms of the illness is continuing in Cikelet, and specimens have been taken from symptomatic persons and sent for testing.

There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus in the Cikelet outbreak, Dr. I Nyoman Kandun said.

The Ministry of Health also announced another new human H5N1 case today in Bekasi, West Java. The case, a six-year old girl, is recovering. An investigation into the case is underway. This most recent case brings the total number of confirmed human cases of avian influenza in Indonesia to 62, of whom 47 have died.

There are effective steps people can take to avoid catching avian influenza:

1. Do not touch sick or dying birds; if you do, immediately wash your hands and report to local authorities.
2. Wash your hands and utensils with soap and water before you eat or cook. Cook all poultry and eggs well.
3. Separate your birds and separate all new flocks for two weeks.
4. Go immediately to a health clinic if you have a fever with flu-like symptoms and have had contact with bird