April 19, 2006

Indonesia expects to be free of bird flu by 2008

Indonesia is winning its fight against bird flu and expects to be free of the killer virus by 2008, the agriculture minister said Tuesday (Apr 18).

"During the rainy season, bird flu cases did increase, but in general, cases both in humans and animals are declining in Indonesia," Anton Apriyantono told reporters in Jakarta. "This is because we have gained experience and are capable of fighting bird flu in better ways."

Indonesia's rainy season normally lasts from October to March.

The disease remains endemic in chicken flocks across the sprawling country.

However, Apriyantono was upbeat.

"We are on a declining curve," he said. "I'm still optimistic that Indonesia will be bird flu free by 2008. We will boost cleaning-up efforts and vaccination drives."

The bird flu causing H5N1 virus has killed or prompted authorities worldwide to destroy 200 million birds.