Commentary
Fatal
H5N1 Confirmed in Riau Indonesia Toddler
Recombinomics Commentary
14:39
April 1, 2009
The above comments cite lab confirmed on H5N1 in the fatal infection of a toddler in Riau, Indonesia (see updated map). This confirmation is cited in multiple local media reports, although it is unclear if the labs in Jakarta have acknowledged the confirmation.
Last year a number of confirmed cases in Riau were reported, but timely reports of cases by the MOH in Indonesia have ceased, and WHO has failed to issue situation updates on lab confirmed cases acknowledged by the Indonesian MOH.
This WHO reporting failure may stem from discrepancies in official reports in Indonesia. In February, a UNICEF report cited four confirmed cases, which was followed by MOH statements in early March, which also cited four cases. However, only three of the four cases matched in the two reports, indicating there were five confirmed cases. Clarification without citing five cases would be problematic for a WHO update, which may have led to the lack of reports by WHO. The last WHO update for Indonesia was January 22, which described cases from 2008. UN members strengthened reporting requirements for diseases that had the potential for spread beyond national borders and H5N1 was added as a notifiable disease that required reporting within 24-48 hours of confirmation.
The failure of WHO to issue updates on any 2009 cases, even after acknowledgement of lab confirmation by the Indonesian MOH, highlights extreme oversight failures, continues to be hazardous to the world’s health.
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