English
Indonesia
Poultry Depopulation in Bali
Badung - In the last week, over 300 birds of various species in Tuka village, Badung, Bali were depopulated by officers of the Livestock Service Office of Badung district. Rapid tests indicated an outbreak of H5N1 virus or avian influenza. Last week there was sudden die-off of poultry owned by citizens of the village.
Every day, more than 10 officers, with the help of the local people, netted and shot native chickens in a number of banjars. Citizens voluntarily gave up their chickens to be depopulated. Besides chickens, people also depopulated ducks and Muscovy ducks.
Head of the Animal Health Section of Badung Livestock Service Office, I Gede Asrama, said poultry depopulation was conducted to break the chain of H5N1 virus transmission.
“We don’t want to take any bigger risks with the occurrence of sudden poultry die-off. Rapid test on dead birds also came out positive for H5N1 virus, so we have to be constantly vigilant,” said Asrama in Badung on Friday (14/8).
Sudden poultry death was first found in Pengilingan banjar. Kelian banjar then reported to the Tuka village chief whom then reported to Badung Livestock Service Office. In Badung, this was the second incident of poultry depopulation. Early this year, hundreds of birds were destroyed in Penatih village, North Badung, due to Avian Influenza.
Negative results
Ni Komang Nilawati (15), citizen of Pulesari in Tembuku subdistrict, Bangli, who was suspected of H5N1 infection was finally declared negative by authorities of Sanglah Regional Hospital. Last week Nilawati was submitted to Sanglah Regional Hospital with high fever, cough, and nose congestion. She was suspected of H5N1 infection because she had direct contact with poultry at her home that was H5N1 positive. The birds were depopulated at the same time Nilawati was submitted to Sanglah Regional Hospital.
Head of the Livestock and Fishery Service Office of Bangli, Ida Idewa Agung Raka, yesterday said the total population of chickens and ducks suspected to be infected with H5N1 in Bangli was 1,836 birds, with 1,356 birds confirmed positive to have died due to the disease. Even though this deadly virus hasn’t infected any human yet, citizens of Bangli are advised to stay cautious, but not panic.
Avian influenza infection in poultry in Bali was first found in Tabanan district four years ago. The first human infection occurred in Jembrana district, one Jembrana citizen died two years ago. Since then, Bali was announced as an H5N1 infected area. The provincial government of Bali had issued a regulation prohibiting import of live poultry from outside the island. But, smuggling of live poultry is suspected to occur from East Java, especially through traditional ports in Jembrana and Buleleng. This is closely related to poultry demand for consumption and traditional and religious rituals/ceremonies, which is estimated to reach up to 100,000 birds per day. (BEN)
Source: Kompas