The government of Indonesia announced on Thursday that tests conducted by researchers at the World Heath Organization (WHO) have confirmed that a man who died earlier this month had the bird flu. That makes him the 42nd person in Indonesia to be killed by the deadly H5N1 strain of the avian flu. A total of 54 cases have been confirmed thus far in Indonesia.
With 42 deaths, Indonesia is now tied with Vietnam with the most human deaths from the bird flu. However, no deaths have taken place in Vietnam since last year while Indonesia has seen more new H5N1 bird flu cases this year than any other country.
The latest casualty was a 44-year-old man from East Jakarta who died four days ago of the disease.
The WHO has been critical of Indonesia’s government for its failure to cull infected fowl. Thus far, experts say that is the best way to contain the spread of the disease.
The government in Jakarta says it does not have the money to compensate farmers who would lose their birds by culling. The government has asked for $900 million to help with a culling program.
The WHO fears that if the bird flu mutates so it can be transmitted directly between people, a worldwide pandemic could break out that may kill tens of millions of people.
