80 Percent of Markets Are Not Avian Influenza Free

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS - As much as 80 percent of markets are not free from avian influenza viruses. With high traffic of live poultry, markets are becoming a source of avian influenza virus infection that needs to be watched out.
This was a statement from the Chief Executive of the National Committee For Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, Bayu Krisnamurthi, during a Simulation of Pandemic Influenza Response in Yogyakarta on Wednesday (25/2). “All 80 percent of markets are wet markets that still trade live poultry,” he said. Markets have become an infection source for avian influenza. Live poultry sold and bought at markets have high potential to be infected. Market vendors and visitors are also at risk of being infected.

To anticipate this, the government or market managers must spray disinfectants in all markets that are still trading live poultry, at least once a month. According to Bayu, there should no longer be any trading of live poultry in markets. Besides that, backyard poultry are also at high risk of contracting avian influenza because it is difficult to monitor and vaccinate. The number of free-ranged poultry is about 15 percent of the total poultry population.

Out of Vaccines
In Sleman, Yogyakarta, avian influenza vaccine stocks had depleted since early January. The central government had stopped sending avian influenza vaccines starting this year. “We are now in trouble of preventing the disease,” said Head of the Livestock Division of the Agriculture and Forestry Service Office of Sleman, Suwandi Azis.
He said that vaccination is an important variable in preventing avian influenza besides spraying disinfectant and biosecurity. (ENG/IRE)
Source : Kompas