Bird Flu Claims 104th Victim
Jakarta, August 16, 2007 - Ministry of Health – A 17-year old girl from Tangerang district, Banten Province was infected with the H5N1 influenza virus, according to laboratory tests conducted in Jakarta. The girl, referred to as “L”, died on August 14. She is Indonesia’s most recent confirmed H5N1 case. The number of cases in Banten Province now stands at 14 confirmed cases with 12 fatalities. Overall, Indonesia has now recorded 104 confirmed human H5N1 cases and 83 fatalities. The case fatality rate now stands at 79.81%.
As of yet, there is no cure for avian influenza. The anti-viral drug Oseltamivir is a treatment, but not a cure. The most effective way to protect oneself from bird flu is to prevent being infected by the virus.
Exposure to sick birds remains the primary source of human infection with Bird Flu. It is advised that people who keep poultry to keep their birds well away from home. Be aware of sick poultry or sudden deaths in poultry around you. People are urged to learn more about of bird flu and to reduce their risk of contracting the virus by adopting clean and healthy behaviors:
- Don’t touch sick or dead chickens. If you have had contact with sick or dead chickens, promptly wash your hands with soap and report the incident to your village head.
- Wash your hands and cooking appliances with soap before cooking. Cook chicken and eggs well.
- Separate poultry from humans. And also separate new poultry from existing poultry flocks for 2 weeks.
- Go to a Public Health Center or Hospital immediately if you have flu and fever symptoms after having contact with poultry/chicken.
Based on a report from Sari Asih Hospital in Karawaci, Tangerang, L experienced onset of illness on 8 August 2007 with symptoms of fever and difficulty breathing. She was examined at Sari Asih Hospital in on 13 August 2007. L died on 14 August 2007.
At the moment, a surveillance team from Tangerang District health office is in the field to investigate the case. The risk factor is still unknown.
This report was received by The Center for Public Communication at the Ministry of Health (Moh) from the Bird Flu Information Center, Directorate General of Communicable Disease Control & Environmental at the Ministry of Health on August 16, 2007.
This information is published by The Center for Public Communication, Secretariat General MOHRI. For further information, please call 021-522 3002 and 5296 0661 or send e-mail to: puskom.publik@yahoo.co.id .
Head of Public Communication Center
dr. Lily. S. Sulistyowati, MM
NIP 140 218 301
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