Introduction: Since the first human cases of H5N1 avian influenza virus infection were detected in Indonesia in 2005, the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital in Jakarta has managed 27 confirmed cases from September 2005 to December 2007.
Materials and methods: We reviewed the clinical and epidemiological data of these patients.
Results: Clinical and radiological features were not specific. Most patients were young and had indirect contact with infected poultry. The majority of cases presented to the Infectious Diseases hospital late when the patients already had features of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The mortality was high at 77%.
Conclusion: There is clearly an urgent need for better field diagnostics and therapeutics for the management of this emerging pathogen.