HSU Still Beware of Bird Flu Virus

Amuntai, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - The North Hulu Sungai Fisheries and Livestock Agency (Diskannak) still wary of the spread of the bird flu virus that may occur through the activity of buying and selling by duck traders out of the area.

The HSU Diskannak head Suriani in Amuntai on Tuesday said the reason is in concerns South Kalimantan has not yet free of the spread of the H5N1 virus that caused the death of thousands of ducks in the province in the past month.

Head of Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health of HSU Diskannak, Putu Susila, admit it is hard to 100 percent stop the trade of ducks, especially to traders from outside the region , so that the spread of the H5N1 virus is still possible to happen.

"But we always urge dealers to temporarily stop selling duck out of the area," said Putu.

Based on visits to a number of centers of duck farms, Diskannak officers no longer receive reports of dead duck.

In fact, said Putu, traders questioned when they can resume the activity of sale or delivery of ducks to the outside area.

However, Putu said, HSU Diskannak can not give permission duck breeders or traders to send their poultry to other regions.

In addition, the South Kalimantan Animal Husbandry Agency has instructed the district/city to no longer issue a veterinary health certificate to the breeder as of March 12, 2014 until the next month.

It was, he said , to prevent farmers sell duck out of the area in fear of H5N1 virus spreading.

"If the one month time limit has passed we along with the Veterinary Center will be re-examined a number of samples of duck from some farms to ensure the H5N1 virus in the HSU is clean," he said.