# 1799
Outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry in Indonesia are so common that nation quit making individual notifications to the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) nearly 2 years ago.
They essentially declared the virus to be `endemic', and quit trying to keep track. The last OIE report I can find filed by Indonesia was September of 2006.
The local press will sometimes still reports large die offs of poultry, but the international press ignores the story. It isn't `news' anymore.
But the fact that it isn't fodder for the front page doesn't make it any less dangerous.
The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) has issued a press release that paints, in stark terms, the situation in Indonesia and the dangers it presents.
Bird flu situation in Indonesia critical
High load of circulating virus could lead to mutation and a human influenza pandemic
18 March 2008, Rome – The prevalence of avian influenza in Indonesia remains serious despite containment efforts undertaken by national authorities and the international community, FAO warned today. Indonesia is the country worst hit by avian influenza.
“The human mortality rate from bird flu in Indonesia is the highest in the world and there will be more human cases if we do not focus more on containing the disease at source in animals,” said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.
“Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that the high level of virus circulation in birds in the country could create conditions for the virus to mutate and to finally cause a human influenza pandemic,” Domenech warned.
“The avian influenza situation in Indonesia is grave – all international partners and national authorities need to step up their efforts for halting the spread of the disease in animals and making the fight against the virus a top priority.”
31 provinces affected
Avian influenza has become deeply entrenched in Indonesia with 31 out of 33 provinces being infected. The virus is endemic in Java, Sumatra, Bali and southern Sulawesi with sporadic outbreaks reported from other areas. 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.
About twenty percent of the chicken population of 1.4 billion is scattered in around 30 million backyards, where people raise poultry for food or income.
Despite major control efforts, the country has not succeeded in containing the spread of avian influenza in poultry, Domenech said.
“Indonesia is facing an uphill battle against a virus that is difficult to contain. Major human and financial resources, stronger political commitment and strengthened coordination between the central, province and district authorities are required to improve surveillance and control measures.”
(Cont.)
When an organization such as the FAO uses terms like `Deeply concerned' and deems the situation `grave', one must take notice.
Because unlike Vegas, what happens in Indonesia may not stay in Indonesia.
