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50 Birds Found Positive Avian Influenza
Palu - The Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Service Office of Palu city found 50 birds positive for Avian Influenza (AI) in January 2012. Head of the Livestock Division of the Service Office, Hasniwati, in Palu, Wednesday, said all were chickens that suddenly died. Officers destroyed the dead birds by burning and burying them.
AI cases in birds in Palu city occurs almost evenly in all 4 subdistricts in this capital city of Central Sulawesi Province.
Hasniwati said citizens already understand how to deal with possible AI cases in instances where there is sudden poultry die-off. “If you don’t want to take the risk of being infected by AI, immediately report to the local authorities,” said Hasniwati.
The municipal government of Palu city is intensely socializing the dangers of AI to the public. The measure is taken to prevent people from panicking when they find massive die-offs and also to prevent possible disease transmission to human.
Despite many birds being diagnosed with AI, data from the Health Service Office of Palu city states there is no case of AI in human. There had been a number of citizens from West Palu subdistrict who were suspected to have AI infection because they had high fever and history of contact with chickens or other poultry. But, after further testing the patients were declared negative AI.
Head of the Health Service Office of Palu city, Emma Sukmawati, said H5N1 infection could be easily prevented by frequently washing your hands with soap. Emma said H5N1 virus quickly dies from soap water or temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius. (R026 | Editor: Ella Syafputri)
Source : Antara