20 September 2005

Avian influenza in Indonesia - update

The Ministry of Health in Indonesia confirmed a fatal case of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza on 16 September 2005 [1].

The patient was a 37 year old woman who lived in Jakarta. She became unwell on 31 August 2005, was hospitalised on 6 September, and died on 10 September. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently assisting the Indonesian government in its investigations to determine the source of the infection. Close contacts of the woman are also being traced. The woman had multiple opportunities for exposure to chicken and ducks.

This is the country’s second laboratory confirmed human case of avian influenza. The first occurred in July 2005 in a 38 year old man whose two daughters also died of a severe respiratory infection. The illnesses in the daughters did not meet the WHO criteria for a diagnosis of a human case of avian influenza.

There continue to be no travel restrictions to countries in Asia (Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and the Russian Federation [east of the Ural mountains]) affected by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. Details of regions within these countries currently affected with outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry or migratory birds, are available from the World Organisation for Animal Health (http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm).

Travellers are reminded of the following precautions:

• Avoid contact with live poultry and wild birds
• Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms
• Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal faeces
• Do not eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
• Exercise good personal hygiene with frequent hand washing
• Do not attempt to bring any live poultry products back to the UK

It is not recommended that travellers take with them the neuraminidase inhibitor, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®).

Reference

1. World Health Organization. Avian influenza - situation in Indonesia - update 29. 16 September 2005. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_09_16/en/index.html

Links  

  

Department of Health. Bird Flu - What are the risks?

World Health Organization Avian Influenza:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/