JAKARTA, September 8, 2006 – A team from the Ministry of Health is investigating the case of a 14-year-old girl who died ofH5N1 Avian Influenza in June 2006.

The girl was hospitalized in Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital in Makassar, South Sulawesi and died on 24th June 2006. At that time, Avian Influenza was not diagnosed. However, cell specimens were kept and later tested by the Ministry of Health as part of routine testing of cases with flu-like symptoms. Test results confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus earlier this week.

This case marks the 63rd confirmed human H5N1 case in Indonesia and the 48th fatality.

There are simple effective steps every Indonesian can take to reduce the risk of contracting the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus:

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 birds