May 3, 2011

 

Indonesia to tackle bird flu problem

 

 

Avian influenza has become so deeply entrenched in Indonesia, with a number of provinces and districts being infected, that the country has stepped up its measures to tackle the problem.

 

The H5N1 avian influenza virus is endemic in Java, Sumatra, Bali, and Sulawesi with outbreaks reported from other areas. In North Sulawesi, the bird flu is spreading and should be tackled optimally as it is affecting the community, a local poultry breeder said.

 

The virus has also spread to the districts of Kota Kotamobagu, Bolaang Mongondow and South Minahasa, but has yet to be treated. "The people there are very concerned about the impact of bird flu on the other sectors of economy in the province," Lexi said. North Sulawesi Poultry Breeders Association spokesman Lexi Solang has called on the government to deal immediately with the virus.

 

Meanwhile, North Sulawesi Vice Governor, Djauhari Kansil, has ordered related institutions such as the animal husbandry office and health service office to tackle the spread of the H5N1 virus, after the sudden death of chickens in Modoinding sub-district in the past week.

 

"Since January 2011 eight bird flu positive cases have been reported from six of seven sub-districts in Pesawaran district, Lampung Province," local agriculture and animal husbandry office spokesman Aspiran Syateri said. Aspiran said Pesawaran district was one of the endemic spread of bird flu on poultry in Lampung province.

 

To prevent H5N1 avian influenza virus from spreading, Aspiran called on the local people and the government to cooperate in monitoring and reporting any incident immediately.

 

The prevalence of avian influenza in various parts of Indonesia remains serious despite containment efforts taken by national authorities.

 

In Bali, hundreds of chickens were reported to have suddenly died at the districts of Jembrana and Bangli. Meanwhile, Bangli district's livestock and fisheries department spokesman Ngurah Shamba said Bangli is very prone to bird flu because the region is bordered with Klungkung district, which has been hit by the disease.

 

According to a report from United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), human mortality rate from bird flu in Indonesia in 2008 was the highest. Since the first outbreaks in 2003, avian influenza has spread rapidly across Java into Bali, Kalimantan and Sumatra. In 2006, the virus spread further east, infecting Papua and much of Sulawesi. FAO said despite major control efforts, Indonesia had not succeeded in containing the spread of avian influenza in poultry.

 

FAO is supporting Indonesian authorities in affected areas. FAO has helped to train local teams of animal health professionals in participatory disease surveillance and response.

 

FAO reports that it would take at least 10 years to eradicate the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has killed humans and poultry in the six countries including Indonesia where it is endemic. Avian influenza virus was reported in 60 countries at its peak in 2006 but most countries managed to stamp it out, the FAO said.