Bird Flu Deaths No Longer Being Reported in Indonesia

After a 15-year-old girl died last month from bird flu, Indonesia’s government kept the news quiet in an effort to improve public image for the nation hardest hit by the disease.

The country’s decision will impact efforts to track the disease by the World Health Organization, which relies on official government reports for its accounting.

109 people have died of bird flu in Indonesia, nearly half of the 241 recorded deaths worldwide.

In explaining the decision not to report the deaths, Indonesia’s health minister indicated the focus should be instead on government efforts to fight bird flu.