8 Year Old Child in Bali Died from Avian Influenza
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
This post is also available in: Indonesian
Denpasar – An 8 year old avian influenza suspect patient from Dukuh banjar, Abang village, Kintamani subdistrict, Bangli district, Bali died in Sanglah Central Hospital on Tuesday (24/04/2012) night.
The patient, INP, was referred to Sanglah Central Hospital on Tuesday afternoon from Bangli Regional Hospital. Upon arrival INP was immediately placed in Nusa Indah room, which is the Avian Influenza isolation room, and given intensive care by the team of doctors.
“INP came in a state of shock. Clinical and laboratory results from Bangli Hospital are consistent with avian influenza symptom,” said Secretary of the Avian Influenza Mitigation Team in Sanglah Central Hospital, dr. Ken Wirasandhi, on Wednesday (25/04/2012).
Despite treatment, INP died at 22.15 WITA last night. The patient’s body was brought back to Bangli immediately afterwards. Testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at Sanglah Central Hospital confirmed the patient suffered from avian influenza infection.
“Photos and examination leads strongly to avian influenza. Also the PCR test resulted positive,” said dr. Ken.
Until now, the hospital is still investigating the source of INP’s avian influenza infection. Information from the family reveals INP had contact with dead birds about 2 months ago, but theoretically this is unlikely because the incubation period of avian influenza in children is 7 to 12 days. There might be another cause that is not known by the family. (Muhammad Hasanudin | Asep Candra)