Komnas FBPI Calls For Full Assault Againts AI

Jakarta, April 6 2007- The National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) says the recent increase in the number of AI cases shows that the nation must be even more diligent if it is to stop the spread of the H5N1 virus and overcome the threat of a pandemic.

“Much has been done in the battle against the deadly virus, but the war is far from over and we must re-double our efforts this year”, said Bayu Krisnamurthi, Chief Executive of the National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness

Mr. Krisnamurthi comments come as Indonesia surpassed Vietnam with the largest number of human cases in the world. Indonesia now has 94 confirmed cases after two cases were confirmed by the Health Ministry on Wednesday and Friday 6, 2007. Of the total cases, Indonesia’s bird flu fatalities are 74 with Case Fatality Rate of 78.72percent.

According to the World Health Organization, Vietnam has recorded 93 cases, of which 42 are fatal.

“We had hoped that this day would never come”, said Mr. Krisnamurthi. “The government, along with UN agencies, NGO’s and other groups have been working throughout the country to try to stop the spread of the virus and stop it from infecting people, but it is an enormous task”, he said.

Mr. Krisnamurthi says this year plans are underway to increase community awareness and work on details of the national pandemic response plan. These efforts began in March with the first National Working Meeting that has been followed up with series of regional coordination workshops.

“We must get everyone onboard in this campaign, from national to provincial and district government, but the most important sector is the communities themselves. People must take this campaign to heart and realize why AI is such an important issue”, said Mr. Krisnamurthi, adding that public communication still remains a top priority.

‘’Many people still wonder why the world is making AI such an important issue”, he said. “The answer is the great unknown. Even the top experts on AI don’t know if there will be a pandemic or when and where it could strike.”

“But in this century we do have the knowledge to prevent a pandemic and it would be a global crime if we did not try to do so”, he added.

Mr, Krisnamurthi also pointed out that the messages in the AI campaign are still the most effective ways to combat bird flu and also beneficial for overall health and hygiene.  “Raising awareness within communities is still the best way to prevent outbreaks and save lives,” he said. 

KOMNAS FBPI believes that people can contribute to the war against bird flu by following the four basic messages: washing hands, reporting dead poultry, going to a clinic whenever they have flu-like symptoms and separating their poultry in order to ensure good sanitation”.

Mr. Krisnamurthi said people can continue to cook and eat healthy chicken and other poultry products as they are a major source of protein for many people.

Experts say that preparing poultry in hygienic conditions is the key to reducing the risk of catching the virus. A study on recent human cases by KOMNAS FBPI found that people often contracted the virus after culling or cleaning infected birds.

Komnas FBPI recommends that in the process of culling birds, processing and de-feathering, people should wear gloves and a mask to cover their nose and mouth and wash their hands, feet, footwear, clothes and all equipment thoroughly with soap and water after completing the process.

In addition, when people must dispose of a dead birds, Komnas FBPI suggests that they should: wear gloves and a mask or cover your nose and mouth with a clean cloth, dig a pit at least half a meter deep, place the carcass inside the hole, burn it and fill in the pit. 

And then they should wash their hands, feet, footwear, clothes and utensils thoroughly with soap and water after completing the process. Many AI victims have been children and they should be kept away from having contacts with poultry. In addition dead poultry should never be thrown into rivers or gutters.

After a series of meetings with medical and animal health experts, KOMNAS FBPI panel of experts announced that the virus had so far not mutated. It said that the virus had been detected in other animals including dogs and cats. However there is no evidence that they were able to transmit the virus.

KOMNAS FBPI  is also promoting scientific research, including conducting autopsies on AI victims to identify how the virus attacks people. However, it does note that there are sensitive issues regarding this that need to be addressed.

“To overcome the AI threat we really need to find out how this virus works, then we will know how to beat it," he said.