# 5357
Pandang, Indonesia is the capital and largest city in West Sumatra, with a population of 800,000.
Over the past couple of weeks residents in at least 8 districts (Padang Barat, Padang Utara, Padang Timur, Padang Selatan, Kuranji, Lubuk Begalung, Koto Tangah and Nanggalo) have reported numerous sudden deaths among their poultry holdings.
Last week we learned of two children in the city who had been hospitalized with `bird flu-like symptoms’ at M Djamil hospital, beginning on February 26th.
Admittedly, many other illnesses can mimic bird flu, including seasonal flu. So the presence of clinical `flu’ symptoms, even in conjunction with exposure to infected poultry, is hardly conclusive.
That number has now grown (see Padang: Bird Flu Suspect Cases Increase To 5), although we have yet to receive official word on their test results.
At least one subject reportedly has tested positive via a `rapid test’ (see BFIC Padang, West Sumatera ::: A bird flu suspect rapid tests positive).
Laboratory testing for the H5N1 virus has always been difficult, particularly once antiviral therapy has been initiated. Accordingly, Indonesian authorities require several positive and/or negative results before making a diagnosis.
Today we’ve several reports out of Padang which are cautioning residents over the dangers of bird flu. First up, a story that appears in Sunday’s Jakarta Post.
Bird flu alert heightened in Padang city
The Jakarta Post | Sun, 03/06/2011 1:21 PM | Headlines
Residents in Padang, West Sumatra, have been warned about a possible bird flu endemic after five people were suspected of having contracted the virus.
“Padang residents should take precautions,” Padang Health Agency head Afrida Aziz was quoted as saying in Padang on Saturday by Antara news agency.
She said monitoring bird flu remained a top priority given the impact of the deadly disease, especially in the wake of reports of mass chicken deaths in the city’s eight districts.
Via Ironorehopper posting on FluTrackers, we get this cautionary article from Waspada Online.
This report urges anyone with a high fever and recent contact with sick poultry to seek medical treatment and to notify local authorities of any sick or dying poultry (unggus).
Sunday, 06 March 2011 00:15
PADANG - Head of the Department of Health (Health) of Padang, Afrida Aziz called on residents of Padang to be wary of bird flu disease. This was said by the Head of the City Health Office in Padang, Afrida Aziz relating five residents of Padang suspected of being infected with bird flu.
"Residents of Padang in order to remain alert to bird flu disease that attacks humans," said Chief Medical Officer Afrida Azis, in Padang, last night.
He said that bird flu remains a concern from various parties, because the disease can bring death. "City Health Office in Padang monitor bird flu endemic area for non-infectious to humans," he said.
<SNIP>
According to him, five residents are exposed to bird flu virus as a result of direct contact with poultry or chicken. "Before infected with bird flu, it is probable that five residents of Padang have direct contact with poultry around the house," he said.
There is obviously a good deal of local concern over the poultry deaths, and suspected human infections, in Pandang. Local `socialization’ (read: education) campaigns are underway in an attempt to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease.
As far as whether any of these children are truly infected with the H5N1 virus?
Although the media reports are leaning in that direction, that’s something we won’t know until official test results are released by the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MOH).
Stay tuned.
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