February 21, 2006

Indonesia to check on household birds, poultry in Jakarta

Underscoring official concerns over the spread of bird flu virus in Jakarta, the city's administration will carry out door-to-door checks of poultry and birds and cull those infected by H5N1, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said Monday Feb 20.

Six hundred officials from the Jakarta Agriculture Office will search households in 265 sub-districts in the capital from Friday to Sunday, Sutiyoso said.

"I have instructed all head of sub-districts to stop bird flu from spreading by door-to-door surveillance," said Sutiyoso.

"Those whose poultry or birds are culled will get compensation of 10,000 rupiah each " said Sutiyoso.