Avian flu, also known as bird flu, has killed a man in central Indonesia, marking the country's ninth fatality attributed to the H5N1 virus this year.

The victim, 37, died July 30 in Yogyakarta province after spending five days in hospital, the Indonesian Health Ministry reported on its website on Monday.

It confirmed the man, who lived near a chicken slaughterhouse, had been infected with the virus, also known as bird flu, after apparently coming into contact with sick birds.

The virus, which began ravaging poultry across Asia in 2003, remains entrenched in Indonesia. Experts fear it could mutate into a form that passes easily among people, potentially sparking a pandemic. But most human cases have been linked to contact with sick birds.

The World Health Organization says the virus has claimed 359 victims worldwide. Indonesia remains the hardest-hit country, accounting for 159 deaths.