Fears of bird flu spread in Indonesia

Indonesia was today struggling to calm public fears about an outbreak of bird flu after three children suspected of having the disease died and 11 other patients were admitted to hospital with flu-like symptoms.

The government, accused of responding too slowly to the bird flu virus when it first started sweeping through chicken farms across the sprawling archipelago two years ago, scrambled to ward off an epidemic.

It has fired the country’s chief of animal health control for allegedly failing to check the spread of the disease and announced plans for mass slaughters of poultry in infected areas.

Forty-four hospitals have been prepared to accept bird flu patients and the government said it could forcibly admit anyone with symptoms of the disease.

“If things worsen it could become an epidemic,” said Health Minister Siti Fadila Supari, who is planning to hold a press conference later today.

The government is awaiting test results on the two- and five-year-old girls who died yesterday in Jakarta and a five-year-old boy who died early today in East Kalimantan province, doctors said.

Blood samples of 11 patients admitted to hospital in the capital – two after visiting a popular zoo that was closed earlier this week when eagles, peacocks and other birds were found to have the virus – also have been sent to Hong Kong.

Indonesia has in the past said it could not afford mass bird slaughters - something the United Nations suggests is the best way to prevent the virus’ spread – but reversed that decision yesterday.

Tri Satya Putri Naipospos, the director of animal health at the Agriculture Ministry, meanwhile, said she was fired for allegedly failing to control Indonesia’s outbreak.