Sidrap – Avian influenza is causing a widespread outbreak in Sidrap district, South Sulawesi. At least 10,000 chickens have suddenly died from the disease. The outbreak has even spread to most poultry production centers in Sidrap district.

Several areas already affected with the disease are Wanio village in Panca Lautang subdistrict, Lanrang village, Bulo village, and Tanete village. The largest egg production center in Sidrap is in Tanete village.
Avian influenza was first found in Wanio village last Monday. From there, the disease spread to other farms in other subdistricts.

Head of the Livestock Service Office of Sidrap district, Muhammad Azis, said the office immediately formed a team to inspect the initial case site after reports from citizens were received.

“We have collected samples from dead birds. Results confirmed the dead chickens were positive for avian influenza,” he said on Wednesday (6/7/2011).

The disease (AI), said Muhammad Azis, spread very fast and far to other farms. The consequences were dire for farmers. The disease spread rate in Sidrap district is very high, already reaching 10,000 bird mortalities by now. “The disease mostly attacked native chickens and has spread almost evenly to all regions. Regarding commercial breed chickens, only a number of sites were affected,” he said.

Currently, said Muhammad Azis, the office is spraying disinfectants to chicken farms in Sidrap district identified as high-risk. The Livestock Office has dispatched Participatory Disease Surveillance and Response (PDSR) officers for the case.

There are still 3.4 million chickens and 2 million broiler chickens in Sidrap district that needs to be protected. “But we hope people will stay calm because we will soon handle the situation,” he said. (K24-11|Glori K. Wadrianto)

Source : Kompas