Positive Avian Influenza, 24 Chickens Culled

GARUT - At least 24 chickens owned by citizens of Pabrik subvillage RT 01/02 in Cintanagara village, Cigedug subdistrict, Garut district, West Java, were culled by the local Livestock, Fishery, and Marine Service Office (Disnakanla). This measure was taken after the birds were diagnosed positive for avian influenza.
Head of the Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Division in Disnakanla of Garut district, Dida Kardiana, said that from 9 chickens sampled and tested, one chicken came out positive for avian influenza.

“We have collected samples from 9 chickens. The result was one avian influenza positive bird. Therefore we conducted culling,” said Dida on Friday (27/3/2009).
Dida admitted that avian influenza is suspected to have infected two siblings that are now still treated at dr Slamet Garut General Hospital because citizens were late in reporting poultry die off in their neighborhood. While according to Dida the village is an AI-alert village.
“I think it is odd, since the neighborhood is part of an AI-alert village but they didn’t respond to the disease and was late in reporting, thus causing two citizens to be suspects of avian influenza,” said Dida.
When the Disnakanla came over to the case site after receiving the report, there were no dead chickens left to be found. This of course troubled officers in the investigation. Even so, in the end officers had collected samples from 9 remaining chickens.
To anticipate possible spread of the deadly disease, said Dida, they have conducted socialization and asked people whose house is located nearby the case site to cull their birds.
“Once there is one chicken positive for avian influenza, we immediately approach local citizens in the surrounding neighborhood whom also own birds so they will cull their chickens also. Thank god, our recommendations were accepted by the citizens,” added Dida. (Dede Ibin Muhibbin/Koran SI/ded)
Sumber: Okezone.com [edited]