Bali takes action against bird flu

Balinese authorities have taken the bull by the horns in an effort to tackle the recent outbreak of bird flu. International media often blows things out of proportion when it comes to bad things happening in developing countries, so this latest episode suggests Bali might be a place to avoid. Those of us who live here know its quite the opposite and currently Bali is enjoying a strong resurgence in the tourist numbers, with many French, Spanish, British and Australian visitors right now. The local thinking seems to be that the outbreak of bird flu might of originated in Java, so trucks carrying all that nasty ayam kampung are being turned back. Here’s more from the Jakarta Post.

Bali bans entry of poultry from Java following bird flu case

DENPASAR (Antara): Gilimanuk port authorities forbade the unloading of at least 10,000 chickens and ducks from boats from Java over the past week following the discovery of a bird flu case in Jembrana, Bali island recently.

The ban on chicken shipments from Java was based on an instruction from the Jembrana district administration and intended to prevent the spread of the deadly disease to wider areas, Bali police spokesman Senior Commissioner Reniban said here on Monday.

Jembrana authorities had imposed the ban on chicken consignments from Java after one of the district’s residents was reported to have been infected with the bird flu virus.

“At least 10,000 chickens and ducks from Java have been barred from entering Bali by joint teams posted in several areas in Jembrana,” he said.

Jembrana authorities have set up rapid response teams supervising the implementation of the poultry transportation restriction.

Bali authorities have also ordered the culling of all poultry at Banjar Dangin Tukad Aya and Tegal Badeng villages, Jembrana, where bird flu cases had been detected.

The Jembrana administration also sprayed insecticides throughout the district three times.