Balinese Communities Take Action on Bird Flu
Jembrana, August 16, 2007 - Following the confirmation of Bali's first human H5N1 case this week, local communities are taking action to prevent the spread of virus.
Bayu Krisnamurthi, the Chief Executive of KOMNAS FBPI, Indonesia's national bird flu coordinating body, met today with local government officials and other key partners in Jembrana District - where the case occurred - to discuss actions being taken to control the outbreak in birds and to prevent the virus from infecting people.
“KOMNAS together with other UN agencies, i.e. WHO, FAO, and UNICEF are giving their support to the Bali people, especially the people in Jembrana, in dealing with this case," Mr. Krisnamurthi said. “A government team is on the ground and Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization experts are investigating the case,” he added.
Animal health officials have conducted a mass culling of chickens in the area where the case occurred.
KOMNAS FBPI, supported by UNICEF and local students, is conducting a public awareness campaign to raise awareness in communities in the surrounding area.
Students have gone door to door, telling people how to protect themselves and their family from contracting the virus. Videos about bird flu are also shown in local communities. And children are being taught about bird flu too: games are used to explain how bird flu is transmitted and how kids can stay safe.
These activities follow the death on 12 August of a local 29-year-old woman infected with the H5N1 virus. The woman, from Tukad Village in Jembrana District, 105 kilometers from Denpasar, became the first and only confirmed human bird flu case recorded in Bali.
The woman’s 5 year-old daughter died on August 4th but the girl was not tested. Both were exposed to H5N1 chickens, investigators say.
“Visitors should not be overly alarmed about this outbreak but they should stay informed. Strict controls are being put in place in Bali”, said Mr.Krisnamurthi.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the KOMNAS FBPI website at www.KOMNASFBPI.go.id for the latest updates.
Avian Influenza is primarily an animal disease. In rare cases, people can also contract the virus, primarily through contact with sick birds. There are simple steps that every one can take to reduce the risk of contracting the bird flu virus:
