Indonesia: 3 Children Hospitalized with Avian Influenza Symptoms
Vietnam and China have recently reported the discovery of new outbreaks, while Japan has begun culling 180,000 birds after detecting signs of avian influenza on a farm.
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has caused the death of 9,000 poultry and various wild birds in Liaoning Province, northwest China, and 3,000 birds in Bac Giang Province, Vietnam.
In response, the Chinese government ordered the culling of approximately 300,000 birds and poultry surrounding the village of Badaohao in Liaoning. Similarly, Vietnam has isolated the affected area and conducted human testing due to at least one suspected case of infection.
Nguyen Dang Khoa, Vice Chairman of the Bac Giang Provincial People’s Committee, stated that the transportation of poultry to and from the outbreak area is prohibited, and the government has also initiated disinfection measures in nearby regions.
Dida Connor, a spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Hanoi, expressed concern over the current outbreak, stating: “The efforts for monitoring and detecting outbreaks have been effective, however, the continuous emergence of cases is alarming.”
Meanwhile, Fabio Friscia, an official with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), mentioned that more outbreaks are expected in the coming months as we approach December and January when temperatures drop significantly.
In Hanoi, there is one suspected case of avian influenza, but the Epidemiology Institute has reported a negative test result. During this time, training sessions for transferring patients to medical centers are being organized in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Khanh Hoa. Currently, medical centers are prepared to handle thousands of cases of avian influenza.
* In Indonesia, three children (5 months, 10 months, and 8 years old) with links to a woman who died from suspected avian influenza (the 10-month-old girl is her biological daughter, while the two boys are her nephews) have been hospitalized with symptoms of the virus.
Ilham Patu, spokesperson for Sulianti Saroso Hospital, reported that the three children were admitted on Tuesday with symptoms including high fever and cough, and they have been tested for avian influenza.
KINH LUÂN (compiled)
