West Nusa Tenggara Free of Bird Flu: Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara

Just $286 million has been spent to fight bird flu out of nearly $1.9 billion pledged last January by nations and organizations that said they wanted to make a massive effort against the virus according to a World Bank report. But in Indonesia the fight goes on with little funds.

Indonesia has the highest death rate of bird flu deaths in the world and it makes common sense that the World Bank should inject more funds into the country. The Avian Virus has spread unheeded throughout the archipelago with thankfully Bali being spared.

It seems that West Nusa Tenggara has been spared also according to a report in the Jakarta Post, the head of the provinces husbandry office has stated that residents need not be alarmed about reports on bird flu because the virus was not present in the province.

"West Nusa Tenggara was one of the provinces affected by bird flu in 2005 but it has been brought under control" provincial husbandry office head M. Mutalib was quoted by Antara as saying.

He attributed its eradication to a poultry vaccination drive.

"So residents should not be anxious about the extensive news coverage especially the case of the family in Tanah Karo, North Sumatra or in West Java because West Nusa Tenggara is still considered safe, he said.

He added that if poultry or fowl died suddenly they should be immediately buried or destroyed to stop the spread of the virus.