June 19 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed on Thursday the deaths of two Indonesians from the H5N1 bird flu virus. Of the 135 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 110 have been fatal. There have been 243 human deaths globally from the H5N1 strain and 385 confirmed cases of infection since 2003, according to WHO data. Following is a list of confirmed human cases of H5N1. Total cases include survivors. Deaths Total cases AZERBAIJAN 5 8 BANGLADESH 0 1 CAMBODIA 7 7 CHINA 20 30 DJIBOUTI 0 1 EGYPT 22 50 INDONESIA 110 135 IRAQ 2 3 LAOS 2 2 MYANMAR 0 1 NIGERIA 1 1 PAKISTAN 1 3 THAILAND 17 25 TURKEY 4 12 VIETNAM 52 106 ------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 243 385 ------------------------------------------------- The H5N1 virus remains mainly a bird virus. Experts are monitoring it for signs of mutation into a form easily transmitted from person to person, a development which could trigger a deadly pandemic. So far, most human cases can be traced to direct or indirect contact with infected birds. Initial tests usually take a day or two to confirm if someone has H5N1. More detailed testing by government laboratories or those affiliated with the WHO can take a week or more. (Writing by David Cutler and Keith Weir, London Editorial Reference Unit)
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) awards the Medal of Freedom to Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington ...
