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Bird flu claims 43rd victim in Indonesia9 August 2006 Indonesia has reported the death of its 43rd human victim of bird flu (avian flu), giving the country the world's highest death toll from the virus. The country has registered more bird flu deaths than any other nation this year, with the latest outbreak claiming a 16-year-old boy on 7 August. He is believed to have been in contact with sick and dying chickens in his household. Avian flu is an influenza that normally infects birds, including wild birds and domestic birds such as chickens. It is caused by influenza virus type A. There are 16 H subtypes of influenza A. The H5N1 subtype is the virus causing concern across the world at present. Humans can contract the disease from close contact with infected birds, with poultry the main source. But there is concern that a bird flu virus could either adapt or merge with a human flu virus to create a new virus that people have very little immunity to. This new virus could then be passed between humans and spread rapidly around the world, causing a 'flu pandemic'. The news of the Indonesian victim of bird flu follows recent confirmation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the 24th human death from the H5N1 avian influenza virus in Thailand. Meanwhile, China has unearthed new evidence that a man died of the virus in November 2003 - two years earlier than the first reported death from the disease in the country. The revised statement, following tests carried out by the Chinese Health Ministry and the WHO, raises new questions over the extent of the disease in China. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office does not currently advise against people travelling to countries experiencing outbreaks of bird flu in poultry flocks but urges travellers to not go to places where live poultry are raised or kept. Travellers are also advised against bringing any live birds or poultry back into the UK and to make sure that chicken, egg or duck dishes are cooked thoroughly before eating. Related linksMore information
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