Indonesia - the epicentre of bird flu fears

Jakarta -- The deadly bird flu is fast spreading, enveloping the whole globe under its wings. The H5N1 strain emerged in South East Asia in 2003 and has been spreading ever since. Many birds have been killed or destroyed as a result of the outbreak.

Human population effected by bird flu has also been increasing. The first death was reported in January 2006 and aroused the concern of the World Health Organization, who claimed that it spreads through the consumption of infected poultry. However, they ruled out the possibility of transfer of the flu from person to person.

The news that Indonesia is the worst affected with bird flu will come as a little surprise to anybody. Since February, a number of deaths have been reported and the infection is on the rise.

Other parts of Asia, including India, who is now an avian influenza free nation, China, Hong Kong, etc, have taken the necessary measures to tackle the disease, but death toll in Indonesia continue to rise.

Out of the country’s 33 provinces, 27 have been found with infected poultry flock. With the death of a 16 year old boy on Monday and a 17 year old girl on Tuesday, the fatalities have reached 44.

Indonesia has been criticized internationally for not taking enough concerted action in the fight against bird flu.

In order to regain its status as a bird flu free nation, the health officials have decided to conduct poultry depopulation in the Garut district of West Java by culling some 2,000 fowls in order to prevent the spread of bird flu.

The plan for mass culling was made after several chickens were tested and found infected with the virus. The heath officials said that they will soon kill poultry of various other districts as well.

Local Animal Husbandry Service Head Andi Rachmat said that the mass killings will be done on Sunday and Monday. He said that previously 3,528 birds were killed. With the cooperation of West Java`s Animal Husbandry office and the central government, 2000 more fowls will be killed.

Revealing other plans, Andi said that 70,000 fowls will be given vaccinations and the programme will cover approximately 300,000 fowls in Garut in the coming months.

Globally, there have been 130 deaths since the outbreak of the pernicious disease. It is essential to eradicate it completely before the death toll rises any more.