# 2801
On Saturday, we took note of 4 possible H5N1 suspects from Bekasi, Indonesia in a blog entitled Bali Suspect Stated Negative But 4 More Suspect Cases In West Java.
Ida at the Bird Flu Information Corner had translated an article from Metro News TV, which relayed information about 4 people who had come down with fevers after consuming possibly infected poultry in Bekasi, which is about 15 miles east of Jakarta.
Since then, more stories have emerged in the Indonesian press, and several more `suspect cases' have surfaced.
Indonesian officials remain reluctant to openly discuss their bird flu problems, and so we've seen no official comment.
None of these cases are confirmed.
Again from Bird Flu Information Corner, we get this translation of reports heard on local TV and reported in the local papers. They indicate that another suspect, a 10-year-old boy, is suspected to be infected.
Bekasi bird flu suspects increased
February 17, 2009
Seputar Indonesia, 16 February 2009.
Bekasi – Bird flu suspect victims of Kampung Srengseng RT 13/6, Desa Sukamulya, Kecamatan Sukatani, Kabupaten Bekasi increased. Head of Health Service for Disease Control and Environment Health of Kabupaten Bekasi, Rudi Ruhdiat said that less than 10 year-old boy was suspected to contract bird flu virus.
“If his condition is not recovered within two days, we will direct him to Sulianti Surosos hospital”, said Rudi. Head of Health Service Kabupaten Bekasi, Sri Utami is still contacting Helth Ministry’s laboratorium for blood test result of these 7 suspects. “For valid result we should wait for more then 2 weeks”, she said.
Source: Indonesia TV news and newspaper, Seputar Indonesia.
Meanwhile Sally at FluTrackers has this translation of an article that appeared in The Republika Online. This report puts the number of suspect cases at 6, but I've seen other reports suggesting 7.
In addition, blood samples have been taken from about 25 villagers and Tamiflu is apparently being given out.
Six residents Sukatani was expected by Bird Flu
Selasa, 17 Februari 2009 pukul 09:05:00
ENam the Resident Sukatani Diduga Flu Burung Bekasi -- six villagers Sukamulya, Kecamatan Sukatani, of Kabupaten Bekasi, West Java, were it was suspected infected by the Avian virus influenza or bird flu.
Currently, the sample of their blood was checked in the Department's laboratory of the Health. The head of the Pengendalian Field of the Illness and Lingkungan Dinas Kesehatan Sanitation of the Bekasi Regency, Dr Rudi Ruhdiat, said, results of the sample inspection of the resident's blood could be known two weeks more.
The six residents were them who carried out contact was close to the positive Avian poultry kind influenza H5N1. "They the owner and mengonsumsi the positive AI poultry," said Rudi, on Monday (16/2).
The taking of the sample was carried out last Saturday (14/2), to 25 villagers Sukamulya. At that time, only five people who were expected terjangkit.
The taking of the sample was carried out because two the previous day, there were 42 chickens belonging to the resident died suddenly. Officially Kesehatan and the Peternakan Service that did rapid test in the location of the incident said, the poultry that died suddenly positive Avian influenza. The poultry that died suddenly that not was destroyed, even was thrown away to the river current and the rest were consumed because of not wanting the loss.
Till yesterday (16/2), the resident who was suspected of by bird flu continuing to improve. The child was 10 years old, Ipin, it was suspected was infected by this virus. This morning 'he was hot high and was brought by us to the community health centre', said Syahroni, casualties's father. He also added, if his health did not improve in time two days, casualties will be reconciled to the special hospital Sulianti Suroso bird flu, Jakarta Timur.
We've seen these sorts of reports before, of course.
Often they turn out to either never be confirmed, or are shown to be something other than bird flu. There are, after all, a number of influenza-like illnesses circulating in Indonesia just about year round.
The newshounds on the flu forums will keep a close eye on these suspect cases for us.
And if more news comes out of Bekasi, I'm sure we'll hear about it.
