New Variant of Bird Flu Virus Found in Indonesia

A new variant of the bird flu virus clade A1 (2.3.2.1) is found in Indonesia recently. The group is more virulent virus than the virus before the H5N1 clade A1 (2.1)

"In Indonesia, the virus was detected in the year 2012 with a number of cases of sudden death in ducks in various regions in Indonesia," said Center for Veterinary epidemiologist Veterinet Wates Yogyakarta, Putut D.Purnomo, told a news conference "Issues Bird Flu In Ducks," in UGM, Wednesday (26/12).

Putut explained that they received a report from the province of Central Java, East Java and Yogyakarta that there are ducks sudden death in large numbers in the last four months. Based on data from Center for Wates Veterinet Yogyakarta, the number of deaths of ducks in three provinces reached 113,700 individuals.

Based on laboratory tests, the cause of death of these ducks lymphocytes infiltrate in high amounts in heart muscle, acute inflammation of the brain, the cornea is white, as well as other physical changes. After testing the AI ​​virus infection, the pathological picture shows that deaths due to AI virus infection.

The entry of the virus suspected of import trade and the migration of wild birds. "Peking duck one we expect to spread the virus. Duck type on the rise and many people hunted for consumption," added Putut.

During this time, Java became the largest area of ​​the spread of the new H5N1 virus. Possible trade will continue to grow as tall duck in Indonesia.

Given the absence of a vaccine for the new virus, he hopes breeder more preventive action. Among keep cleaning the cage, limited culling and disinfectant.

He also added that there is the possibility of the new virus is attacking other birds as well as humans. However, this conjecture still needs further laboratory tests.

Professor of Virology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH) UGM Widya Asmara said the bird flu virus usually attacks the group of wild birds in mainland Asia. In 2010, the virus is found in Nepal and then to India and then to China, and Japan.

The virus is endemic to Asia and then spread in Indonesia in December. "The virus is not a mutation of the virus before (2.1)," said Widya.

H5N1 (Wikimedia Commons).
Transmission of the virus can occur when birds migrate in the winter. Trade undetectable ducks can carry the new virus.

Characteristics of the affected poultry was limp, her eyes whitish, often circling, and sudden death. Most young ducks. Until now, the government of Indonesia does not have a vaccine for bird flu type.

As a precaution, the farmer can make unlimited destruction, decontamination, and tighten the poultry trade from the infected area. "If only by fogging, just a step up mosquito eradication is not a virus," he said.

Chairman of the Association of Local Poultry Breeders Region of Yogyakarta Istimwa Ismartoyo, was dismissed when most of the birds died suddenly due to the virus.

"Most of the deaths were in the seaside. Tail number reached 4700," he added.

Admittedly, the bird flu virus that attacked ducks in the province of East Java was taken because the supply of eggs for hatching from the area. Every day, farmers bring in eight tons of DIY duck eggs from Blitar and Kediri.