Bird flu blamed for two deaths in Central Java

Suherdjoko , The Jakarta Post , Semarang | Wed, 03/05/2008 2:18 PM

The avian flu scourge claimed several victims in Central Java earlier this year, bringing the death toll to 10 at present, a local health official says.

Of four patients believed to have been infected with the disease, two of them (from Kendal and Sragen) have died, while the others were undergoing treatment at Moewardi Hospital in Surakarta, Central Java Health Office head Hartanto told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

"The condition of the other two patients--both from Klaten--is improving, according to reports I received this afternoon," Hartanto said.

The two dead victims received treatment at Hermina Hospital in Semarang.

"We made concerted efforts to prevent a bird-to-human (virus) transfer by educating the public through the media and brochures.

"The health office has also worked with the United Nations Child Education Fund and provincial husbandry agency to familiarize school children with the dangers of bird flu and its prevention," Hartanto said.

His office distributed Tamiflu drugs to health agencies throughout the province, Hartanto said.

"They will be distributed to community health centers in all regions," he added.

The two patients at Moewardi Hospital were identified as S, 38, and his child IFH, 9.

The two bring the total number of suspected cases of human bird flu infection in the province to 13, ten of which have died.

According to data from the National Commission on Bird Flu (dated Feb. 3, 2008), at a national level there have been 126 cases of humans contracting avian influenza with 103 fatalities, making Indonesia the most bird-flu prone of all countries in the world.

In Central Java, the virus has infected 23 of 35 regencies and mayoralties since 2005, while data from the agricultural ministry shows it has hit 161 regencies across the country.

Despite the ten deaths in Central Java, the province has never conducted mass poultry culls, except of infected birds in Semarang, Boyolali, Magelang, Sragen, Kendal and Demak.

Authorities Monday conducted a cull in Kedungampel village, Klaten, following the confirmed discovery of bird flu infected free-range chickens last week, when many chickens died abruptly.

Subsequently, two residents believed to be infected by the virus were taken for treatment at Moewardi Hospital.

Central Java Husbandry Agency head Kusmaningsih said mass culls were based on directives.

"If we cull the entire poultry population, it would have an adverse impact on farmers breeding healthy chickens, especially during harsh times like these," Kusmaningsih said, "so we must cull the birds selectively."

Bird flu virus usually spreads during the rainy season, he added.

In fact, the H5N1 strain dies when exposed to sunlight or heat for any extended period, Kusmaningsih said. However, the virus could reappear in damp conditions, like the current rainy season, he said.

"We have urged rural authorities to distribute information on the risks of bird flu. Everyone must have a clean lifestyle," Kusmaningsih added.

The provincial husbandry agency has so far provided 16 million doses of locally-produced bird flu vaccine and 8,000 liters of disinfectant to poultry farmers.