Bird flu deaths confirmed

Two Indonesian women died last week of bird flu, according to tests by a World Health Organisation-sanctioned laboratory, the Health Ministry said today.

Dewi Sartika, 37, and Kiki Maria, 22, both from Bekasi, a town just east of the capital Jakarta, died on Thursday and Friday at the Sulianti Saroso Hospital, said Hariadi Wibisono, a Health Ministry official.