Human Fatality has Reached 105 Cases

Once again Avian Influenza virus takes the life of a human. In South Jakarta, Muhammad Andika, 3 years old, has died. Head of the Public Health Sub-Office of South Jakarta, Togi Asmat Sinaga, said that there have been 8 cases of bird flu in human in South Jakarta since 2005 until 2008. A day after Muhammad Andika died, Head of Kebayoran Lama sub-district, M Tahrir, immediately conducted mass sweeping of citizens’ properties, particularly those surrounding the victim’s home. Results were the finding of many birds such as chicken, pet birds, duck and others that they suspected to be infected by the deadly virus. ”We, local citizens, have culled and destroyed those birds,” said Tahrir.

He admitted that far before that day, he has given warnings to his citizens to not keep poultry because they are dangerous, except if the birds are certified. Head of the Livestock Services Sub-Office of South Jakarta, Eko Hery Wicaksono, promised to conduct sweeping on citizens still keeping poultry and also including houses that until now are used as unregistered animal slaughterhouses. Information from the Livestock, Fisheries, and Marine Services Office of DKI Jakarta said that there are 2 registered poultry slaughterhouses in Jakarta and 1,200 unregistered poultry slaughterhouses. Meanwhile, there are 250 locations of poultry collecting facilities, 27 locations of broiler chicken farms, 284 locations of native chicken farms, and 229 locations of duck farms.
Based on confirmation made by reporter of civas.net to the National Committee on Bird Flu Control and Influenza Pandemic Preparedness (Komnas FBPI), by February 18, 2008, there has been 129 cases of bird flu infection in human with 105 fatalities. Thus the case fatality rate is 81.4%.
Source : SK Republika and Komnas FBPI