Current human death rate from the H5N1 strain is 57.0% (226 cases, 129 deaths). The 50th human case of illness in Indonesia was recently reported. This latest case occurred in a 7 year-old girl, whose home had been affiliated with sick and dying chickens. Her brother also died from respiratory symptoms, but because no samples were taken, H5N1 could not be confirmed. The virus is considered firmly entrenched in poultry throughout most of Indonesia. The WHO warns that unless this situation is controlled, sporadic human cases are likely to continue. WHO is urging that Indonesia launch public awareness campaigns in order to educate the public on the dangers of preparing, touching, and eating sick or dead birds.

In bird surveillance news, the United States has been preparing to monitor the health of migratory flocks in Alaska. The Department of Environmental Conversation Environmental Health Laboratory in Anchorage was certified last week to test for the H5 subtype. There are 47 state-funded laboratories around the nation that will be testing migratory and domestic flocks for the H5N1 flu.

Bird flu has been found in Ukrainian domestic birds, although it has not been confirmed as to whether the strain was H5N1. Officials plan to cull over 7,000 birds. Many argue that migratory birds have been unfairly blamed for the spread of H5N1 and feel the real culprit is illegal smuggling. Studies around the globe are pending.

Nations With Confirmed Cases H5N1 Avian Influenza (May 19):

WHO Laboratory Confirmed H5N1 Human Cases As of 5/15/06

Total number of cases includes number of deaths.
WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.

Read more What's New with the Bird Flu? articles . . .