Outbreak News

15 February 2006 Volume 32 Number 04

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Avian Influenza, China - Update

On 19 January 2006, the Ministry of Health in China confirmed a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case, a 35-year-old woman from the south-central province of Sichuan, had been employed as a poultry culler. She developed symptoms on 3 January, was hospitalized on 10 January with symptoms of fever and pneumonia and died on 11 January.

Further investigation is under way to determine whether the woman may have acquired her infection during culling operations or as a result of direct exposure to infected birds in her village. She lived in a compound where eight families were housed in close quarters. Members of these families and other close contacts have been placed under medical observation. No signs of influenza-like illness have been reported to date.

This newly confirmed case brings the total number of cases in China to nine, of which six have been fatal. The cases occured in seven provinces and regions: Anhui, Fujian, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, Lioaoning and Sichuan.

Avian Influenza, Indonesia - Update

On 23 January 2006, the Ministry of Health in Indonesia confirmed two new cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Both cases were fatal.

The first patient, a 13-year-old girl, developed symptoms on 6 January, was hospitalized on 12 January and died on 14 January. The second patient, her 4-year-old brother, developed symptoms on 8 January, was hospitalized on 14 January and died on 17 January.

Two other family members, a 14-year-old sister and the 43-year-old father, remain hospitalized with respiratory symptoms. The sister was hospitalized on 14 January and the father on 17 January. Samples from these cases are being tested to determine whether they were also infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Investigations conducted by the Ministry of Health andWHO found evidence of a large poultry outbreak in the family's neighbourhood. Chickens kept by the family began to die 3 days before the first patient developed symptoms. All family members had close contact with the diseased chickens and assisted in the removal of dead birds.

Contacts have been traced, blood samples have been taken and monitoring for signs of influenza-like illness continues. Authorities began culling operations in the area over last weekend. These newly confirmed cases bring the total number of cases in Indonesia to 19, of which 14 have been fatal.

Source: WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record, Vol 81, 4, 2006.

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