# 2778
One of my favorite resources has become the Bird Flu Information Corner - a joint endeavor between Kobe University, Japan and Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia.
Not only does the editor, Ida, keep a close watch on the bird flu situation in in Indonesia, BFIC provides excellent translations of relevant news stories.
Over the past couple of days, BFIC has posted several translations of news stories that serve to remind us that Indonesia continues to struggle to contain the H5N1 virus.
Indonesian Health officials no longer report to the press, or even the WHO (World Health Organization) at the time that they detect human cases. Instead, they release a bare-bones summary of cases every few months.
Indonesia has also not filed an OIE report since September of 2006, when they declared the H5N1 virus endemic in their nation.
As a consequence, aside from some local coverage in the Bahasan language, we generally hear very little timely bird flu news out of Indonesia.
So we are, indeed, very fortunate to have this great resource.
If it isn't on your list of daily stops on the Internet, it should be.
Our first stop this morning is Bali, where some birds have been culled after birds in a backyard flock died mysteriously. Additionally, a 19 year-old (gender uncertain) is receiving Tamiflu, but is not hospitalized.
Anyplace else in Indonesia, 15 dead chickens would not raise much concern. But Bali is a major tourist/vacation destination for much of Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
An outbreak of Bird Flu there, even a minor one, could have major economic repercussions for the tourist industry.
Bali::: Gorvernment acts to prevent bird flu spreading
February 11, 2009
Denpasar (LampostOnline 10 February 2009) – Depopulation to 133 possibly infected bird flu chickens belong to local people had been done by Bali provincial government. This preventive measure was taken by Livestock and Fishery Service Kabupaten Badung, Dusun Sibang, Desa Jagapati Abiansemal, Tuesday 10 /2.
This action following to the findings of 15 chickens belong to one of the residence in this area, died suddenly and tested H5N1 positive. Those positive chickens are known as battling cock and originated from Banyuwangi, East Java. To avoid further virus introduction to Bali, Head of Livestock and Marine Service of Badung, Bali, Made Badra, said that they have closed any chicken trading gate to Bali.
Meanwhile, a teenager PT (19) is suspected to contracting bird flu virus. He/she is now under treatment and guard at his/her home and received Tamiflu.
Meanwhile, in South Sulawesi - six villages are isolated due to an outbreak of the virus in poultry. The exact details of how these villages are `isolated' are not provided.
This may simply indicate restrictions on the transportation of poultry and eggs out of these villages, or it might signify a tighter cordon. It's impossible to tell from this report.
Barru, South Sulawesi::: Six villages isolated
February 10, 2009Seputar Indonesia, 11 February 2009
Government isolates villages in Barru
Barru – Regional government Barru isolated six villages to prevent bird flu spreading. People are suggested not to consume poultry product such as meat and eggs for temporary.
Those six villages are Desa Lawallu,Kecamatan Soppeng Riaja; Desa Lipukasi and Mareto, Kecamatan Tanete Rilau; Desa Kota Barru, Kecamatan Kota Barru; Desa Binuang, Kecamatan Balusu; dan Desa Bojo, Kecamatan Mattirotasi. This statement made following confirmation of bird flu infection to dead chickens found these days.
Latest bird flu attacks are reported at Desa Binuang,Kecamatan Balusu,and some location at Desa Bojo,Kecamatan Mattirotasi. Previously AI virus found to kill hundred of birds at Desa Lawallu, Desa Lipukasi, Mareto, dan Desa Kota Barru. Government officials are also planning to do sweeping to animal transport around border of Barru-Makassar.
Meanwhile, Agriculture, Forestry, Marine and Fishery Service of Pare-pare officials investigate traditional markets which may involved in poultry distribution from Barru to other area. Unit of officers is also placed at Pare-pare – Barru border area for further investigation.
Source: Indonesia TV news and newspaper, Seputar Indonesia
And in East Java, multiple outbreaks of bird flu are still being reported among poultry.
East Java::: Bird flu spreads to Tawangrejo, Madiun
February 9, 2009
Kompas, 9 February 2009.
Bird flu spreads to Tawangrejo, Madiun
Madiun – Chicken death due to bird flu virus has expanded to Tawangrejo, Kartoharjo subdistrict, Madiun. This area is bordered with Keluraha kelun, Kartoharjo, the location where outbreak occurred last week.
Seven chickens belong to Iswoyo, the resident of RT 6 RW 3 Tawangrejo found died Monday morning. This incident is unpredicted by Iswoyo since his chicken didn’t show any sickness before. Agriculture Service of Madiun has confirmed bird flu H5N1 infection to those chickens by rapid test. Officials had done control and prevention measures by disinfection and burying dead chickens.
Source: Indonesia newspaper, Kompas
Madiun among other bird flu outbreak locations in East Java
Every day we get a half dozen or more reports, like the ones above, indicating that birds have mysteriously died, or that culling is underway, somewhere in Indonesia.
In fact, it has become such a common story, that few media outlets even bother to cover it.
A not-so-gentle reminder that what you don't know, can hurt you.
