“Tourists seem more afraid of an avian flu outbreak than a terrorist attack” – stated Y. Sukamdani, president of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, last weekend. She mentioned that Indonesia’s plan this year is to welcome 6 million visitors, but so far the number has only reached 2.4 million.
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Indonesian students wait for testing at a hospital after visiting the Jakarta Zoo |
As of last weekend, 21 people in Indonesia have been hospitalized due to suspected avian flu infections, but doctors reported that most of their conditions have improved and at least four may be discharged.
Among the suspected cases are individuals who visited the Jakarta Zoo, where tests have shown that most bird and poultry species are infected with the virus.
Indonesian authorities have ordered the zoo to close for 21 days starting today. Despite the World Health Organization’s (WHO) calls for calm, more than 100 people who visited the zoo have rushed to hospitals for testing.
The Jakarta Post reported that several international sponsors have expressed their readiness to assist Indonesia in combating the spread of avian flu.
Meanwhile, Australian customs has prohibited the import of several tons of poultry meat to prevent the potential spread of avian flu into the country. Australian Customs Minister C. Ellison stated, “We will block meat from any countries that Australia deems to be at high risk.”
HÀ NGUYÊN (According to JP, AFP)
