Bird flu endemic in Indonesia, says World Health Organization

While the Indonesian government talks about eradicating bird (avian) flu by the year 2007, WHO has stated that bird flu
is endemic in the country. Agriculture minister, Anton Apriyantono, expressed disappointment at WHO's (animal health dept)
declaration, saying cases of bird flu have been declining in Indonesia since last year.


Despite being branded an endemic country, Anton Apriyantono said his government will carry on with its eradication programme
and the 2007 deadline.


Official figures state 16.2 million birds died of avian flu last year in Indonesia. Numbers have dropped dramatically this
year to just over one quarter of a million during the first quarter.