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New AI death, second in possible family cluster case
The Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the
country's 52nd death from H5N1 avian influenza.
The 20-year-old man, whose infection was announced on
27 September, died early in the morning of 28 September.
The man was the brother of another
bird
flu victim, who died four days earlier, before samples could be taken. A
third sibling, the brothers' 15-year-old sister is now in Hasan Sadikin General
Hospital in Bandung, with avian influenza-like symptoms. These cases have caused
concern among health and veterinary officials that an infection cluster may have
emerged, and that the siblings may have infected each other.
Officials investigating the elder brother's death have determined that a
likely initial source of infection was the dead birds the family was feeding to
their dogs. Investigations are continuing.
Dr Mike Perdue of the influenza programme of the
World Health Organisation says the risk of a
mutation of avian flu is increasing, with the disease showing signs of
resistance to the most effective anti-viral drugs available.
Meanwhile, Indonesian officials were cited as saying on Wednesday that more
than 1,350 birds have been slaughtered this week near homes of the latest
Indonesian bird flu victims.
Of the 68 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 52 have been fatal.
Editor WorldPoultry
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