February 5, 2004

 

 

Indonesia To Cull 10 Million Chickens To Curb Bird Flu

 

Indonesia will cull ten million chickens infected with bird flu, as the government grapples with the rapid spread of the avian disease.

 

"About 10 million chickens need to be destroyed," Social Welfare Minister Jusuf Kalla told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. "Within six months, bird flu will be under control."

 

He said the cull had already begun on the tourist island of Bali, one of the worst hit areas in Indonesia by avian influenza.

 

On Tuesday, Jakarta confirmed that the outbreak in the vast archipelago is the same deadly strain that has struck other Asian nations, but said no humans have been infected.

 

Tens of millions of chickens have been slaughtered in government-ordered culls throughout Southeast Asia. Governments are battling to contain the disease, which has claimed 10 human lives in Vietnam and five in Thailand

 

Jakarta has come under heavy criticism for failing to alert the public of the threat, and for being slow to respond with a mass slaughter.

 

Media reports Thursday said a majority of Indonesians continue to believe it is safer to buy live chickens than commercially prepared chicken meat.

 

Tests have shown the disease is transmitted through contact with live chickens, and that chicken meat and eggs cooked at high temperatures pose no health threat.

 

About 4.7 million chickens in Indonesia were reported to have died by January, either from Newcastle disease - a viral infection that is harmless to humans - or a combination of Newcastle and bird flu.

 

Indonesia produces 1.2 million tons of chicken meat and 1.1 million tons of eggs annually. Officials said the government earmarked about 212 billion rupiah (US$1=IDR8,433) for culling and vaccinations.

 

Last month, the government said the bird flu outbreak would cost the economy nearly US$1 billion, and result in the loss of more than 1.2 million jobs.