Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Indonesia tests breeders' blood for avian influenza
The Indonesian health ministry has been conducting a laboratory test of the breeders' blood this week to find out whether the avian influenza disease had spread to humans, a senior minister said on Monday.
The Indonesian health ministry has been conducting a laboratory test of the breeders' blood this week to find out whether the avian influenza disease had spread to humans, a senior minister said on Monday.
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Alleviation Yusuf Kalla said that the government would make a decision after one week, as it would have the conclusion of the laboratory test.
"The health ministry has been examining the blood sample of thebreeders," said Kalla after a special cabinet meeting at the StatePalace.
He said that the Agriculture Ministry had already tested chicken blood.
"Later after one week, as the tests complete, we will issue a joint decision," he said.
Kalla said that the government planned to concentrate on the provinces of East Java and the Central Java in the blood examinations.
A part of the tourist center, Bali Island, has also been spreadby the disease, as it has killed thousands of chickens.
The minister said that the government planned to quarantine those who were proved of being infected by the disease.
"The attacked breeders are not allowed to visit the healthy breeders," he said.Kalla disclosed that the government had announced that the disease existed in October last year, but with the different name.
Director General of Animal Husbandry of the Agriculture Ministry Sofjan Sudrajat said that since November last year, about4.7 million chickens have died, and 40 percent of them were infected with the Avian influenza and the Newcastle disease.