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Kotamobagu – Avian Influenza H5N1 infection was found in a chicken farm owned by Anwar Mamonto, a citizen in Gogagoman, Kotamobagu, North Sulawesi.

Testing found 25 of 26 chickens on the farm positive for H5N1. The chickens were immediately destroyed. Anwar Mamonto and 9 of his family members were also submitted to Kandou Hospital in Manado on Sunday (4/9/2011) because they were suffering from fever, one common symptom of avian influenza infection in human.

Head of Kotamobagu Health Service Office, dr. Salmon Helweldery MA said the Anwar family is getting better. The high fever, which was previously suffered by the 10 people, has now gone down. “There are four female and 6 male patients from the family. Their conditions are improving, but we have yet received their test results,” said Salmon.

At first, the patients were brought to Datoe Binangkang Hospital, but due to the lack of necessary equipments, they were referred to Kandou Hospital in Manado. Until Monday (5/9/2011), the family was still being treated at the hospital.

Head of the Livestock Division of the Agriculture, Fishery, Livestock, Plantation, Forestry, and Food Security Service Office (DP4K2P) of Kotamobagu, Nurachim P. Mokoagow, said the initial report of avian influenza outbreak came from Anwar Mamonto, who is also Head of RT VII in Gogagoman.

“On September 3rd we conducted rapid test. It turned out that 25 of 26 chickens were positive for the virus. We immediately destroyed all chickens,” said Nurachim on Monday (5/9/2011).

According to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), the office sprayed the incidence site and a surrounding 200 meter radius with disinfectant. Unfortunately depopulation of chickens in the area could not be carried out because permission from owners is required.

Nurachim added that the Provincial Agriculture and Livestock Service Office and Provincial Health Service Office are planning to visit the location. “Officials from the provincial level are also investigating the event,” he said.

Besides Gogagoman, DP4K2P will also examine chickens in Upay. The office received information that sudden chicken die-off also occurred in the area.

Last April, Kotamobagu also suffered from an avian influenza outbreak. In that incident, officials from Maros Disease Investigation Center in Makassar, South Sulawesi were also involved.

Municipal government of Kotamogabu has also coordinated with two bordering districts, Bolaang Mongondong (Bolmong) and Bolmong Timur (Boltim), to increase monitoring of poultry traffic into each area.

“We have contacted the Public Relations Division in both areas and advised them to be more vigilant. From the information we have gathered, the AI infected chickens came from outside of Kotamogabu,” said Head of the Public Relations Division of Kotamobagu, Agung Adati.

The municipal government of Kotamobagu has also reactivated poultry inspection posts at borders to prevent the introduction of disease poultry and animals.

Source : TRIBUNnews.com