# 2955
Although keeping track of the human cases (suspected at this point) of H5N1 in Indonesia is an often frustrating task, that doesn’t stop our volunteer newshounds from around the world from trying.
Indonesia hasn’t officially acknowledged any human infections for 2009, although local media reports suggest that they’ve certainly had at least a few.
The policy of Depkes, the Ministry of Health, is not to discuss such matters as they occur, but rather to release updated tally’s every few months. They feel that talking about incidents as they occur makes for `bad publicity’ for their nation.
Depkes also continues to stymie the WHO and the rest of the world by refusing to release virus samples obtained within Indonesia. This stalemate has gone on for more than two years.
Today we get a report of a suspected human bird flu (H5N1) case in Bandung, an area that has seen human cases in the past.
Ida at the Bird Flu Information Corner has a translation of a newspaper article that appeared in the Indonesian newspaper Detik.
Bandung, West Java ::: Bird flu suspect
March 31, 2009
Bandung, West Java – A resident of Kampung pasir Konci Desa Sarijaya Kecamatan Majalaya Kabupaten Karawang, named R (50) suspected to contract bid flu virus. Victim was admitted to Hasan Sadikin hospital, 8 pm Sunday (29/3) by recommendation of Dewi Sri clinic, Karawang.
According to R’s wife, Raisem (40), her husband developed fever and breathing difficulty signs. He was then brought to Ramerta clinic and then directed to Dewi Sri clinic. “Doctor at Dewi Sri clinic said that my husband has developed bird flu symptoms, but no device to confirm it,” said Raisem.
Raisem also mentioned that her husband had fever and breathing problem before, on Saturday (21/3). But then the symptoms had recovered on Monday (23/3). During this last two weeks number of chickens were found suddenly dead in victim’s area. “My husband is the only who developed symptoms”, she added.
Source: Indonesia newspaper, Detik.
The Bird Flu Information Corner is a joint endeavor between Kobe University, Japan and Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia.
Another version of this story, this time translated and posted by Sally and Dutchy on Flutrackers, comes from SOLOPOS Digital Media.
RS Hasan Sadikin treated a person suspect AI
Bandung ---- A patient suspect (was expected) bird flu, Rajim (50) Sand locked RT 08/VII the Village Sarijaya the Majalaya Subdistrict, was treated in RSHS Bandung.
The wife of the patient Rasiem (40), on Monday (30/3), said, Rajim began to be treated in RSHS on Sunday night exact at 20.00 WIB.
"My husband was beforehand treated in the Hospital of Dewi Sri Karawang continued the doctor's words there (RS Dewi Sri), was told to be brought to RSHS Bandung," said Rasiem.
He said, because of the limitations of the implement in RS Dewi Sri, the patient was reconciled by the doctor in RS Dewi Sri Karawang to be brought and undergo the maintenance that was more intensive in RSHS Bandung.
He said, around two weeks ago in his residence of many sudden chickens died, including his four kept chickens.
"Approximately two weeks ago, the neighbouring chicken in the mother's house many that died, including the chicken had the mother," he said.
After the incident, Rajim threw his kept chicken that died to the river near his house, said Rasiem that was met in the Poinciana Tree waiting room of RSHS Bandung away.
According to Rasiem, not long after threw his kept chicken that died, away Rajim was at once attacked breathless and high fever.
"Was finished discarded the chicken to the river, the husband" of the "mother at once was breathless continued his body high fever," he said.
Was based on information that was assembled from public relations of RSHS Bandung, information about the condition for the patient who was expected suspect this bird flu will be announced by the doctor this afternoon, around 15.00 WIB.
Three things of note here:
- First, this is just a suspected case. Test results have not been released (and may not be for some time).
- Second, unlike most of the victims we see of bird flu, this one is (barely) in his 50’s. While not unheard of, 90% of cases we’ve seen happen in people under the age of 50.
- And third, as we often see reported, dead chickens were disposed of by throwing them into the river. This has at least the potential of spreading the disease further – particularly to wild birds (but conceivably to people as well).
Reports such as the two above are a routine occurrence out of Indonesia. Far too often, there is never any follow up, and these stories become `orphaned’.
Luckily for us the volunteer newshounds on the flu forums remain tenacious and undeterred.
For more information about how these newshounds work you might enjoy reading:
