August 9, 2006

Bird flu spreads to six districts in Indonesia
 

Bird flu has spread to six of the 17 districts in Indonesia's Bantul regency, according to preliminary tests, says the Bantul Livestock, Marine Resources and Fishery Office.

The virus started spreading populations well before July, according to a spokeswoman.

An earthquake in late May which destroyed chicken coops throughout the district had allowed chickens to run wild, thus promoting the spread of the virus, the head of the Marine Resources and Fishery Office, Sumartilah said.

The majority of the infected chickens were free-range layers.

She said the rapid spread of the virus might also be connected to the wet weather in Bantul, the hardest-hit area in the earthquake.

In order to help curb the spread of the deadly virus, the livestock office has been spraying disinfectant around the affected areas.

Up to 2,000 chickens had died in the six district as of early July.

Residents said the virus had been spreading fast over the last month. Many are still homeless or live in structures with poor sanitation and are thus exposed to the virus.