Indonesia confirms 54th case of bird flu

The World Health Organisation has confirmed Indonesia's 54th case of human infection of H5N1 avian flu.

A 44-year-old Indonesian fried chicken vendor from East Jakarta has died of the disease.

Of the 54 human cases confirmed in Indonesia, 42 have been fatal.

Bird flu has spread rapidly since late 2003 from Asia to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA