UPDATED 0900hrs EST
# 4236
Although the local press (Jakarta Post) is referring to this case as a `bird flu suspect’, it is important to remember that there are a plethora of possible pathogens that could be the cause of this teenager’s illness.
Still, the rapid decline in the patient’s condition, the time of year, and even the victim’s age are all consistent with what we would expect from an H5N1 infection. So this is a case we will watch.
This report from The Jakarta Post.
Sunday, January 10, 2010 7:19 PM
Bird flu suspect in critical condition
Rizal Harahap , The Jakarta Post , Pekanbaru
A 17-year-old teenager who is suspected of having contracted the H1N1 bird flu virus is in a critical condition at the Arifin Achmad regional public hospital in Pekanbaru, Riau.
The hospital head for bird flu control, Azisman Saad, said Sunday the teenager was receiving intensive treatment in an isolation room at the hospital.
“The suspect is still in a comma-like condition and is suffering from a high fever,” Azisman said.
He added the patient needed a machine to assist his breathing.
“A team of doctors from the Riau provincial health agency took a blood sample of the patient and will send it to the health ministry in Jakarta,” he said.
Evy, one of the patient’s relatives said the patient had been ill since Friday.
She said he had been suffering from a fever, breathing difficulties and diarrhea before fainting.
“We have yet to know how the patient could have been infected by the virus,” she said. (ewd)
UPDATE
Ida at BFIC has posted a translation of a different article on this patient, which provides more details, and increases the suspicion that this may be H5N1.
Pekanbaru, Riau ::: Hospital treats another bird flu suspect
January 10, 2010Pekanbaru – Another bird flu suspect patient is treated at Arifin Achmad regonal hospital. Patient, named Jefri, 17-year-old is strongly suspected of contracting bird flu or avian influenza H5N1 virus. He is currently isolated in special unit for bird flu patient.
Head of Bird Flu Control Team of Arifin Achmada hospital, Azizman Saad regretted Jefri had been in severe condition at the time he was referred to Arifin Achmad hospital from Santa Maria hospital in Pekanbaru.
Patient showed elevated body temperature up to 37.5℃, low thrombocyte count about 8,000, and low leukocyte count about 5,000.
Jefry is the second bird flu suspect patient treated by Arifin Achmad hospital during 2010.
