Outbreak of Duck Deaths Extends

Tasikmalaya (Antara Bali) - The outbreak of duck deaths believed to be caused by the bird flu virus in Tasikmalaya District, West Java, has spread to many sub-districts, an official said.

"The outbreak was first reported in December 2012 in the sub-districts of Jamanis, Sukaratu, and Cisayong. To date, thousands of ducks have died," Head of animal health and public health at the district's health service Idik Abdullah said here on Saturday.

According to him, it was reported that in December, 20 ducks had died suddenly in the Jananis sub-district, 40 in Sukaratu, and 26 in Cisayong, but now, the outbreak has spread to other sub-districts.

"Now, it has spread to the sub-districts of Sukaratu, Cineam, Cigalontang, and Singaparna, and in Cisayong alone, a total of 1,200 ducks are reported to have died," Idik Abdullah noted.

He explained that laboratory tests in Bandung indicated that the ducks were infected with the bird flu virus, H5N1.

"Therefore, people must maintain cleanliness and should report to the authorities when they see a dead duck that needs immediate handling," he said, adding that to guard against the spread of the disease, local health-service workers have sprayed disinfectant in coops within a radius of 500 meters from the locations where ducks were found dead.(IGT)