National

Bird Flu Reaches Kupang
Friday, 30 September, 2005 | 01:46 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara:East Nusa Tenggara governor Piet A. Tallo has requested technical institutions handling health and farming matters to be honest and tell the general public if they find the avian influenza virus in any poultry farming locations.

This request was made following controversy between staff reports and findings in the field regarding the spread of the deadly virus in one of the poultry farms in the regency of Lasiana, Kupang.

“If there is any bird flu among poultry in Kupang and other regions, technical officers must tell the truth. Do not lie, because this involves human lives,” Tallo told reporters at the East Nusa Tenggara Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building on Thursday (29/09).

According to the governor, he has received informal information that East Nusa Tenggara has tested positive for the bird flu virus but the official report is not yet available.

Therefore, there must be honesty in anticipating the virus.

The head of East Nusa Tenggara regional health office, Stef Bria Seran, said that no bird flu patients had yet been treated at any hospital and public health centers.

“We are yet to receive any reports regarding bird flu cases. The regional farming office must provide an official explanation about what has happened because the bird flu virus is spread by birds. All hospitals in East Nusa Tenggara have been alerted to provide treatment to any victims,” he stated.
(Jems de Fortuna-Tempo News Room)