Bird flu death toll rises in C. Java

SEMARANG: The number of suspected bird flu deaths in Central Java has risen to three with another confirmed bird flu patient still receiving hospital care, according to Budihardja, chairman of Central Java Health Office.

Budihardja said Thursday that the death of a patient from Boyolali, who was suspected of having bird flu, at Moewardi hospital in Surakarta on Tuesday, was followed by the deaths of two more patients suspected of having bird flu, one at Tidar hospital in Magelang and the other at Dr. Kariadi hospital in Semarang.

Another confirmed bird flu patient from Magelang, has already been discharged from Moewardi hospital where he was treated. A second patient, a resident of Klaten, is still being treated at Moewardi hospital. His condition is reported to be improving.

The Central Java Health Office has appointed 20 hospitals to handle suspected bird flu patients.

The appointed hospitals include Kariadi hospital in Semarang, Soewondo hospital in Kendal, Moewardi hospital in Surakarta and Margono hospital in Purwokerto.

""The fact that some have been able to recuperate from the illness has been possible due to the prompt handling of patients at the hospitals. As no medicines are available for the illness, the most important thing here is the improvement of the patient's immunity,"" Budihardja said.

Central Java Governor Mardiyanto ordered the public recently to immediately report any infected birds or poultry in their vicinity. ""Do report to the health and livestock husbandry offices, and the officers will follow the reports up,"" he said. -- JP