Bird flu worst in Indonesia

Bird flu has claimed the lives of 113 people in Indonesia so far this year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A total of 139 cases have been reported to the WHO, which has experienced poor acknowledgement of avian influenza from officials in the country in the past.

November data from the Ministry of Health in Indonesia showed a two-year-old had died after contracting the deadly H5N1 strain at a bird market and a nine-year-old girl had recovered after becoming infected with the virus from dead poultry near her home.

Other countries with high incidences of bird flu included Vietnam, which has reported 52 deaths and 106 cases in 2008.

Egypt told the WHO of 50 cases and 22 deaths while China revealed 20 death and 30 cases of avian influenza.

Avian influenza is spread to humans who come into close contact with birds, usually while breeding poultry or preparing meat.

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