The number of bird flu patients in Indonesia has increased to 101, spokesperson for the Health Ministry Lily S Sulistyowati said in press release in Jakarta Sunday.

Lily said the latest human case affected by bird flu virus was a three-year-old child from Pekanbaru, Riau province, who has been ill since June 18 with fever without cough and cold.

She said the child identified as V was found to be affected by the H5NI virus based on the ministry"e;s laboratory examination on June 22, 2007.

Meanwhile, an examination conducted in Jakarta declared that V was affected by bird flu virus on June 23, 2007.

On June 19, 2007, V sustained a fever and was then rushed to Arifin Ahmad hospital in Pakanbaru. "V is now still under a medical treatment at the hospital in a better condition," she was quoted by Antara News Agency.

Lily said an investigation result showed that V came in contact with a cock which suddenly died on June 16, 2007.

According to data available of the Indonesia"e;s Health Ministry, 80 of its 101 bird flu patients died, or the death rate in Indonesia reached 79.2 percent.

Source: Xinhua