Jakarta Implements Biosecurity Procedures to Stop Bird Flu Spread

VIVA – The Jakarta Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Agriculture (KPKP) Office has implemented biosecurity procedures to stop the potential spread of bird flu that could potentially happen in Jakarta.

“We are carrying out a biosecurity procedure at centers of poultry farming, delivery, or even during the unloading and loading of livestock,” Head of the Jakarta KPKP Office Suharini Eliawati informed during a discussion on bird flu prevention, in Jakarta, Thursday.  

The office has remained alert against the transmission of the H5N1 virus, considering that Jakarta's need for poultry is reaching one million heads per day. 

Therefore, the supervision of the movement of poultry from other regions to Jakarta needs to be made stricter as Jakarta is not a poultry-producing region, "Animal's certificate from the region of origin is an essential requirement," Eliawati said.

Another way to improve biosecurity is to keep poultry houses clean and disinfect them. In addition, use masks when in contact with poultry.

The office also asks the public to report to the agency and regional offices if they find sudden poultry deaths. The symptoms of avian influenza in poultry are blackish-red to blue-colored cockscombs that are swollen and may be accompanied by thick bleeding at the tip.

In addition, bleeding can occur on areas of skin that are not covered with feathers, especially the shins of the legs.

The last symptom is the sudden death of a large number of birds without any sign of illness or slight symptoms of paralysis.

Moreover, the Jakarta Provincial Health Service has informed that bird flu in humans can quickly develop into severe lung disease. Bird flu can also cause neurological changes such as seizures, which can lead to death.

This is an infectious disease caused by the type A influenza virus subtype, H5N1, which is zoonotic or can be transmitted from animals to humans.