The Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country´s 52nd case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The case, which was fatal, occurred in a 5-year-old boy from Tulungagung district, East Java Province. The boy became ill on 8 June, was hospitalized on 14 June and died two days later on 16 June.

An investigation found a history of chicken deaths in the boy´s household two weeks before symptom onset. Laboratory testing of poultry in the sub-district confirmed the presence of H5N1 in chickens. Monitoring of close contacts has detected no further cases.

Of the 52 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 40 have been fatal.