Simulation of Avian Influenza Pandemic in Jembrana on April 25-27, 2008

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The government will hold a simulation for mitigation of avian influenza pandemic in Jembrana district in Bali on April 25 to 27, 2008. Bayu Krisnamurthi, Chief Executive of the National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) said that the simulation was done to increase the preparedness of all public components to anticipate the possibility of a pandemic influenza in Indonesia. “We have prepared two scenarios, first if the epicenter is here [in Indonesia] or outside of Indonesia. In this case, key offices are the Ministry of Health and the local government. Meanwhile the authority to declare a pandemic status and early response is in the hands of the Minister of Health,” he said.

He added that eight simulations will be held this year in a number of regions to up the preparedness and responsiveness of all public components to prevent and anticipate a pandemic influenza.
In regards with this, the Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health of the Ministry of Health, I Nyoman Kandun, explained that the upcoming simulation is done in Bali because Bali is an avian influenza infected area with high concentration of foreign tourists. “So besides running an emergency response mechanism that involves foreign people, this program is also expected to demonstrate the seriousness of the Indonesian government in overcoming avian influenza,” he said.
He explained that the location for the simulation or the location chosen for the simulated pandemic epicenter is Dangin Tukadaya villige in Jembrana.
Pandemic anticipation in this simulation, he said, will be done by many parties. The Jembrana Community Health Center and Negara Hospital will act as patient receivers; the Jembrana local government office will be the coordination post; Tabanan Hospital will contribute as a reference hospital; Ngurah Rai Airport will be the screening location and quarantine site, and Sanglah Hospital will receive patients from the airport.
Source : Antara