Anti-bird flu campaign must go on: Komnas FBPI

Jakarta, March 10, 2010 - Komnas FBPI - At the end of his tenure, the Indonesian bird flu coordinating agency urges that the fight against avian influenza and pandemic response should continue even without its presence. 

The National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) ends its mandate in March 13, 2010, as stipulated by the 2006 Presidential Regulation on the establishment of Komnas FBPI.

Komnas FBPI calls on to all Indonesians, and those who live in the country, to remain active in curbing bird flu and responding to the H1N1 pandemic influenza. 

'The story of Komnas FBPI from 2006 to 2010 is the tale about the dedications of government, private sector, experts, international partners, and community members in dealing with an infectious disease. This is the most important lesson for taking actions on any infectious disease in the future, "said Komnas FBPI Chief Executive Bayu Krisnamurthi. 

On the occasion of its last National Coordination Meeting on the Handling of Bird Flu and Pandemic Influenza 2006-2010, Komnas FBPI states that Indonesia has managed to control the wide spread of H5N1 in Indonesia and responding to pandemic influenza H1N1. Although already under control, bird flu virus remains exist and may infect people at any time. 

"The key is we must be able to fight the virus, live healthy and know how to protect ourselves," he added. Deputy Chief Executive of Emil Agustiono, adds that the strength built by the commission would be useful to face any environmental and health crisis in the future. 

Emil explained that the current spread of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases (EREID's) such as HIV/AIDS, SARS, nipah, rabies, BSE, West Nile, Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, and anthrax. 

"We need to maximize the capital that we have had and still manage to be an asset to any health disaster in the future." 

To support the continuation of the campaign, the national coordinating meeting recommends that: first, the war against bird flu still needs to be continued along with fight toward other zoonoses. Therefore, there is a need to set up the National Committee for Zoonoses Control (Komnas Zoonosis). 

Second, all works of pandemic influenza preparedness and response, should be taken over by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). 

And lastly, continue promoting the ideas and systematic approach to an integrated health system, that merge human health, animal health and environmental health by involving experts from various fields of science, including social sciences. 

National Coordination Meeting was attended by 300 representatives from ministries and central government agencies, local governments, international organizations, social organizations and institutions.

Komnas FBPI extends its appreciation to all experts and government officials who have dedicated themselves in the fight against avian influenza and pandemic influenza response; the international partners who work together to build the capacity of response, surveillance and early detection; the members of the media who help spread prevention messages and in particular, to the people of Indonesia, who have taken the initiatives to make Indonesia safer and healthier.

Tanggap Flu Burung! Take Action Against Bird Flu, Our Hands Prevent Bird Flu! Be Flu Wise and Flu Care!