Girl's bird flu death shows importance of early diagnosis<\/p>\n
Zakki Hakim, Associated Press\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Sixteen-year-old Siti Maulida died of bird flu in a local
\nhospital as an ambulance pulled up to take her to a government-
\ndesignated medical center that treats cases of the virus.<\/p>\n
Had she survived the journey, she would have been given
\nantiviral drugs on arrival that could have saved her life,
\naccording to a doctor from the center.<\/p>\n
"If on the first day she came here, it could have been a
\ndifferent story," said Dr. Ilham Patu from Sulianti Saroso
\nInfectious Diseases Hospital. "Hospitals must transfer their
\npatients quicker."<\/p>\n
Siti's death -- the seventh from bird flu reported in
\nIndonesia since July -- shows the importance of early diagnosis.
\nIt has also exposed the weaknesses and lack of coordination in
\nIndonesia's cash-strapped health service.<\/p>\n
The H5N1 bird flu strain has ravaged poultry stocks across
\nAsia since 2003, and killed at least 67 people. Most human
\nvictims are believed to have contracted the disease from sick
\nbirds.<\/p>\n
However, experts fear the virus will mutate into a form that
\nis easily transmitted between people, possibly sparking a global
\npandemic that could kill millions.<\/p>\n
Siti's father Baharuddin, 50, said his daughter had first
\ncomplained of stomachache and fever on Nov. 4.<\/p>\n
When she showed no signs of improvement after two days, he
\ntook her to the local hospital.<\/p>\n
Doctors there initially thought she had dengue fever and put
\nher on an IV drip. Two days later, they changed their diagnosis
\nto suspected bird flu. She died later the same day, said
\nBaharuddin.<\/p>\n
"She managed to chant the Islamic confession of faith one last
\ntime, and said she wanted to sleep," said Baharuddin Friday on
\nthe terrace of his one-story home down in a crowded district of
\nthe capital, accessible only by foot. "She never woke up."<\/p>\n
Sulianti Saroso is one of 44 hospitals around the country
\nchosen by the government to receive bird flu patients. Treatment
\nis free, and all have stocks of Tamiflu, the anti-viral drug
\nbelieved to be effective against bird flu if given early enough,
\nPatu said.<\/p>\n
Diagnosing and treating bird flu is difficult. The virus'
\nsymptoms mirror those of many common illnesses, and it can kill
\nwithin four days, even with treatment, said Patu on Saturday,
\nurging people with flu-like symptoms and a history of contact
\nwith dead or sick poultry to come to one of the designated
\nhospitals.<\/p>\n
"If we were told she had bird flu earlier, we would have had
\nmore time and taken her to the government bird flu hospital for
\nimmediate and better treatment," said Baharuddin. "I didn't have
\nthe slightest idea to take her to (that) hospital."<\/p>\n
Indonesia was criticized for moving too slowly when bird flu
\nfirst appeared in poultry stocks two years ago, but has promised
\nin recent days to step up the fight.<\/p>\n
The government this week even ordered the military to get
\ninvolved, with thousands of troops being deployed to join
\nstudents and volunteers in going door-to-door in search of sick
\nbirds.<\/p>\n
However, Jakarta animal health agency head Adnan Ahmad said
\nofficials had not slaughtered any birds close to Siti's home,
\nsaying they opted instead to "isolate" the infected animals.<\/p>\n
Slaughtering poultry in bird flu-infected areas is considered
\nby many experts as the best way to contain the virus' spread, but
\nIndonesia says it cannot afford to compensate farmers for mass
\nculls.<\/p>\n
Baharuddin, who runs a small boarding house close to his home,
\nsaid the government should step up the fight against the virus.
\n"The government should not hesitate, because it will save lives,"
\nhe said.<\/p>",
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