May 23, 2005

Indonesia examines possible human avian flu case

Indonesia's Ministry of Health officer confirmed on Friday reports of a possible human avian flu case and is currently waiting for further laboratory test results in the coming two weeks.

An examination of 63 lab specimens taken from poultry workers having had contact with H5N1-infected chickens revealed one possible case with suspicious symptoms, it was revealed.

The ministry has since taken another blood sample from the person and sent it to a Hong Kong laboratory to be double checked.

The health ministry had sent 63 blood samples taken from poultry workers believed to have had the highest contact frequencies with infected birds. The samples were taken in five regencies in South Sulawesi after a bird flu outbreak.

In Indonesia, the avian flu viruses found are of the H5N1 type, similar to those found in China.

Like the common influenza virus, the avian flu virus can be transmitted through the air or through direct contact with infected individuals. Therefore, people with a high intensity of contact with infected poultry or who live near livestock inhabited areas are considered to have a high possibility of becoming infected.

Last week, the Minister of Agriculture confirmed that it had found a positive bird flu case in pigs in Banten province, raising concerns that the deadly virus had taken a step closer to infecting humans in Indonesia. This has raised concerns that a new virus could emerge if a pig became infected with the avian flu and human flu virus simultaneously. Although such a newly formed virus has not been found, it could be transferable to humans.

In line with both findings, the Ministry of Health suggested that people working on farms wear masks, gloves and be sprayed with disinfectant before and after entering pens. It further added that more intensive surveillance tests are being conducted.

There is, however, little worry that the disease can be passed through consuming infected meat cooked at at least 80 degrees Celsius, since the avian flu virus is unable to survive at high temperatures.