The Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country´s 53 rd case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The case, which was fatal, occurred in a 3-year-old girl from a suburb of Jakarta. She became ill on 23 June, was hospitalized on 5 July and died the next day. Specimens collected from the girl were confirmed positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus.

An investigation found that the case handled chickens that had died in the neighbourhood, to dispose of them, two days before the onset of her symptoms. Samples taken from chickens in the neighbourhood were found to be positive. An investigation has found no further cases of influenza-like illness and monitoring of close contacts is under way.

Of the 53 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 41 have been fatal.