Indonesia officially confirms Bird Flu

Indonesia has announced the bird flu virus that has killed millions of poultry in the country is of the most dangerous type.

Indonesia has announced the bird flu virus that has killed millions of poultry in the country is of the most dangerous type. But the country’s agriculture ministry says there have been no cases found among humans.The announcement followed overseas tests to determine the type of bird flu taking hold in Indonesia. “The results of the identification… show that the subtype of the type A avian influenza in Indonesia is H5N1,” said the agriculture ministry’s director for animal health, Tri Satya Naipospos.”These results will be used as a basis for measures to be taken by the government… and to determine the strain of vaccines which will be used to eradicate this avian influenza.”The bird flu has claimed the lives of 12 people in Asia and forced the slaughter of tens of millions of birds.Fears of a possible outbreak of the deadly bird flu in Australia has prompted authorities to issue a warning to New South Wales poultry and bird owners.The New South Wales Department of Agriculture has today issued a warning to chicken and bird owners to be on alert for any unusual health symptoms that could signal a breakout of the deadly virus here. Chief veterinary officer Bruce Christie says while Australia remains free of bird flu, it is up to all producers to help ensure it stays that way.He says owners should be on the alert for symptoms such as fever, weakness, diarrhoea and unexplained deaths and should report any of these signs to their local vet or the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.(Source: ABC Health News