Avian flu suspect isolated

Singaraja: A 14-month toddler is under intensive care at Singaraja regional hospital suspected of having contracted the H5N1 virus that causes avian flu.

Putu Raditya Navaro, a resident at Banjar Klampuak, Tamblang village, is suffering from a high fever accompanied by cough, influenza and serious breathing and respiratory problems.

When he arrived at the hospital, he was immediately taken to an isolation room.

Dr. Nengah Kastawa and Dr. Budhiasa said that the hospital’s medical team had had to take prompt action to treat the patient.

Before the patient was transported to the hospital, dozens of chickens had died in the village. The laboratory tests confirmed that the poultry was infected with the avian flu virus.