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bdul Moeloek General Hospital in Bandarlampung, Lampung, has again quarantined a patient suspected of being infected the bird flu after showing symptoms of high fever, coughing and difficulties of breathing.

The patient, named as Suh, was reported to have had direct contact with her chickens that had suddenly died. She burned the dead chickens and buried them near her house a few days ago.

Her husband Udin said thousands of chickens near his home had abruptly died in the past two weeks. "The dead chickens included 15 of mine. All the chickens in our neighborhood have died," Udin said Tuesday.

Laboratory tests on the dead chickens in Way Laga subdistrict showed that the birds were infected with the avian flu virus.

Yanuar, a doctor treating Suh, said the medical team had to wait for lab tests to determine whether she was had bird flu.

"Even if the results turn out to be negative, residents in Way Laga must be careful because the area is known to be a bird flu area," Yanuar said.

Two years ago, a bird flu outbreak took place in Way Laga and infected thousands of birds owned by residents.

"We burned the chickens which died abruptly in Way Laga, but many residents refused to hand over their chickens to be culled despite showing signs of infection," Lampung Health Office head Reihana said.

Data at the Lampung Animal Health and Livestock Office shows that in January this year 2,714 of the poultry population of 102,340 had died, and 17,739 had been culled.

Lampung Animal Health and Livestock Office animal husbandry division chief Sunaryo Kasman said his office had urged farmers to monitor the health of their chickens.

"We have sent 750 volunteers to prevent the bird flu virus from spreading," he said.