167 Poultry were Bird Flu Positive in Sukabumi

SUKABUMI(SINDO) – As much as 167 poultry in Cimenteng sub-village of Buniwangi village in Surade sub-district were positive for bird flu viruses. The birds suddenly died within the last few weeks. This was the second incidence in 2008. Data from the Livestock Services Office of Sukabumi district said that the 167 birds were comprised of 147 native chickens and 20 ducks. The Livestock Services Office suspects that this avian influenza (AI) outbreak was a repetition that occurs every time this area enters rainy season. Head of the Animal Health Sub-office of the Livestock Services Office of Sukabumi, Winda Sri Rahayu, explained that sudden poultry die off in Surade sub-district has been confirmed to be avian influenza.

The confirmation was through several rapid tests and laboratory tests on dead birds at the end of March 2008. “A similar case to poultry death in Surade also has happened in Simpenan sub-district. It means that cases re-occur every time during rainy season.
This virus infects sector four farms or backyard farms,” explained Winda. The bird flu case in Surade is the first, but similar cases in Simpenan had occurred twice in 2007. While the first avian influenza case in Sukabumi was in Cicurug sub-district.
At that time, about 5,000 birds suddenly died off. Winda explained that for the last three years, patterns of AI virus spread in Sukabumi had worsened; this was indicated with the increase in endemic areas. From 47 sub-districts, as much as 33 sub-districts have been classified as endemic for avian influenza.
“No few households farm poultry but neglect the health concept. With such poor husbandry, their poultry are more susceptible to virus infections. Particularly in rainy season because disease could be transmitted through water diluted feces.
In dry season, the virus is easily killed by ultraviolet rays,” Winda added. She said that routine spraying of poultry houses and vaccination is the solution to anticipate the spread of avian influenza viruses. These measures have been adjusted to the poultry restructure concept for backyard farms.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Local Poultry Farmers, Ade M Zulkarnain, said that increase of avian influenza endemic areas is due to the weak anticipation of the local government. “Disease spread is faster compared to the anticipation. If this goes on, then such incidences will continue to occur,” said Ade. (toni kamajaya)
Source: SINDO