Bird Flu Death

The bird flu death toll climbs as Indonesia reports its fifth human death from the virus.

The woman, a resident of Tangerang near Jakarta, died in October of the H5N1 strain of the bird flu and became Indonesia's latest bird flu death.

Her 8-year-old nephew, also living in the same house, tested positive for the virus but is reported in good condition.

A senior Indonesian Health Ministry official reports that the recent death brings Indonesia's bird flu death total to 5.

Worldwide, the World Health Organization reports a total of 62 bird flu deaths from confirmed cases.

Of the confirmed H5N1 bird flu deaths worldwide, all have been in Asia. Along with Indonesia’s 5 bird flu deaths, 41 bird flu deaths were in Vietnam, 13 bird flu deaths were in Thailand, and 4 bird flu deaths were in Cambodia.

The projected bird flu death toll varies widely. The Centers for Disease Control earlier estimated between 89,000 and 207,000 deaths if the bird flu mutates to a human-to-human virus.

A draft US government report reported by the New York Times projected a bird flu death toll of 1.9 million in the USA alone.

A public health advocacy group based in Washington estimated a bird flu death toll for 541,000.

Forecasts from Emory University project a bird flu death toll from 164,000 to 1,000,000.

So far there have been no human bird flu deaths in the western world, but authorities are concerned about the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus throughout Europe.

Health authorities are recommending poultry workers, bird handlers, and game hunters pay particular attention to hygiene, and especially hand washing, when dealing with birds.

For a detailed report on effective hand washing to prevent viruses like the bird flu go to www.howtopreventbirdflu.com