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Avian Influenza Outbreak in East Lampung District
Sukadana - Avian Influenza has once again infected birds in 3 subdistricts in East Lampung district in January 2010 causing the death of at least 1,176 chickens. “In the rainy season, chickens could easily catch disease such as Avian Influenza,” said Dewanto, Head of the Animal Health Division of the Livestock Service Office of East Lampung in Sukadana on Firday (29/1/2010).
Based on reports from Participatory Disease Surveillance and Response (PDSR) officers in East Lampung, 1,176 birds in 7 villages have died from Avian Influenza in January 2010 while in 2009 only 708 birds in 11 villages have died.
”That was the official report from PDSR in East Lampung,” he said.
Avian Influenza outbreaks in East Lampung in January occurred in Sukadana, Purbolinggo, and Marga Tiga subdistricts.
According to Dewanto, during the rainy season, Avian Influenza viruses could easily infect birds because of suppressed immune system due to cold weathers.
”Therefore, people are advised to house their birds to prevent further spread of Avian Influenza,” he said.
Field observations found many chickens dead during the rainy season. But, most people don’t know the cause of those deaths.
A citizen in Batanghari subdistrict, Untung (62), said that many of his chickens died even though they were housed.
”The chickens were already sick to start with. Then I housed the chickens and the next day they were dead,” he said.
Untung does not know whether the chickens had Avian Influenza or not because he has not reported the incidence to the Livestock Service Office of East Lampung.
”We don’t know the difference between Avian Influenza and other diseases,” he said.
The Livestock Service Office of East Lampung has advised citizens to report to their local branch office or related institutions if they find any case of sudden bird death. This action is taken to suppress further spread of the deadly disease.
Source : Kompas.com