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August 24, 2006
Situation Update: Avian Flu Deaths Reported in Thailand and Indonesia
Source: World Health Organization, Air Security International
In recent weeks the H5N1 virus, better known as avian flu, has claimed the lives of several inhabitants in rural, southeastern Asia.
On 26 July, the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand confirmed that a 17-year-old boy from northern Thailand had contracted avian flu. According to the ministry, the young man began to demonstrate symptoms on 15 July, was admitted to a hospital on 20 July, and later passed away on 24 July. Experts believe that the victim contracted the virus from close contact with the carcasses of dead chickens which the young man buried on 10 July. This case marks Thailand’s first human infection of avian flu this year.
While the death toll has been minimal in Thailand, Indonesia has experienced a much greater loss of life. The following timeline represents the most recent cases of human infection in Indonesia as confirmed by the Indonesian Ministry of Health.
- 9 August. Health officials report that a deceased 17-year-old girl from Jakarta has tested positive for H5N1. Sources close to the girl state that she developed flu-related symptoms on 28 July, and died on 8 August.
- 14 August. The Ministry confirms the country’s 57th case of human infection with avian flu. The infected 17-year-old male first demonstrated symptoms on 26 July, but has begun to recover.
- 17 August Officials confirm the presence of avian flu in the body of a deceased 9-year-old girl from a remote Indonesian village in west Java. According to the Ministry of Health the child began to exhibit symptoms on 1 August, and later died on 15 August.
- 22 August. Authorities recognize the 59th case of human infection with avian flu, this time occurring in a 35-year-old woman from Java. After exhibiting symptoms on 8 August she was hospitalized and died shortly after on 17 August.
- 24 August. The Ministry of Health confirms that a 6-year-old girl from West Java has contracted avian flu. The girl first demonstrated symptoms on 6 August and was quickly hospitalized. She is currently recovering.
With the recent outbreak of H5N1 in Indonesia, special teams from the Indonesian Ministry of Health have collaborated with the World Health Organization to investigate the possible cause for the sudden activity. Officials report that local citizens are unfamiliar with disease control and prevention, but have offered widespread support to the international researchers working throughout Indonesia. Nearly 75% of avian flu cases in Indonesia have been fatal.
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