September 19, 2005

Indonesia closes zoo hit by bird flu

Indonesia's government said the Jakarta zoo was closed after bird flu was detected in birds there. The closure would last until mid-October this year.

According to the government, 19 out of 27 samples taken from various birds at the zoo, including pigmy chickens and eagles, tested positive for the disease. Four other samples were inconclusive and the remaining four tested negative.

The government added that about 2,100 birds in the zoo would be tested for bird flu, and any found infected would be culled if it was not from a protected species.

Meanwhile, samples from two children suspected of having bird flu have been sent for Hong Kong for further tests, the government said.