JAKARTA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The number of bird flu patients in Indonesia has increased to 101, spokesperson for the Health Ministry Lily S Sulistyowati said in press release here Sunday.

    Lily said the latest human case affected by bird flu virus was a three-year-old child from Pekanbaru, Riau province, who has been ill since June 18 with fever without cough and cold.

    She said the child identified as V was found to be affected by the H5NI virus based on the ministry's laboratory examination on June 22, 2007.

    Meanwhile, an examination conducted in Jakarta declared that V was affected by bird flu virus on June 23, 2007.

    On June 19, 2007, V sustained a fever and was then rushed to Arifin Ahmad hospital in Pakanbaru. "V is now still under a medical treatment at the hospital in a better condition," she was quoted by Antara News Agency.

    Lily said an investigation result showed that V came in contact with a cock which suddenly died on June 16, 2007.

    According to data available of the Indonesia's Health Ministry, 80 of its 101 bird flu patients died, or the death rate in Indonesia reached 79.2 percent.