National

Health ministry remains diligent of possible flu outbreaks

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 02/09/2010 8:09 PM | National

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The Health Ministry has continued monitoring any possible outbreaks of the H5N1 (avian flu) and H1N1 (previously known as swine flu) viruses, despite the limited number of infections reported among humans.

“We’re still monitoring existing [flu transmission] cases. We received a few reports in January,” deputy health minister Tjandra Yoga Aditama told Antara on Tuesday.

The ministry recorded 20 bird flu cases in the period between Jan. 1 and Jan. 28, 2009, 19 of which were fatal..

In the June-September period last year, Indonesia recorded H1N1 virus outbreaks resulting in 1,097 people being infected nationwide, 10 of them died. (nkn)