Sudden Chicken Die Off

MAGELANG (SINDO) – Many chickens owned by citizens of Ngemplak in Gondusuli village, Muntilan sub-district, Magelang district, suddenly died off in this last week.
It is strongly suspected that these chickens were infected by bird flu (avian influenza) because from rapid tests done by officers from the District Livestock and Fisheries Office of Magelang one chicken resulted positive for bird flu. “But, to be more accurate, we are still waiting for laboratory test results,” explained Head of Animal and Fish Health Section of the Livestock and Fisheries Office, John CH Manglapay, yesterday.

John said that previously they have also found sudden chicken die off in Secang. Rapid tests resulted negative. To anticipate the possibility of bird flu virus spread, officers have instituted biosecurity measures by involving local people. On the prospect of poultry culling in that village, John could not confirm because of financial issues. “We have implemented biosecurity measures, including spraying disinfectant on people’s poultry houses to prevent spread,” he explained.
Head of Ngemplak village, Yuwono, said that all of the dead chickens, which were suspected to die because of bird flu, were immediately destroyed by burning and then buried. He said that once he received reports from his citizens, his office immediately responded by destroying the dead chickens. Meanwhile, Nur Habib, a chicken owner whose chickens died, told us about the death of his and his neighbor’s chickens. It started with the death of a chicken owned by Iwan, his neighbor, which was just purchased. The next day that chicken was found dead with symptoms consist of bird flu, such as a bluish red color on its comb and breast and nasal discharge. (muh slamet)