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Title: Avian influenza in Indonesia: Observations of disease detection in poultry

Author
item Kim, L
item SALMAN, M - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
item WIDYASTUTI, M. D. - CTR INDONESIAN VET ANALYT
item YUDIANINGTYAS, D - DISEASE INVESTIGATION CTR

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2007
Publication Date: 7/29/2007
Citation: Kim, L.M., Salman, M.D., Widyastuti, M.W., Yudianingtyas, D.W. 2007. Avian influenza in Indonesia: Observations of disease detection in poultry [abstract]. In: Proceedings of Immunobiology of Influenza Virus Infection: Approaches for an Emerging Zoonotic Disease, July 29-31, 2007, Athens, Georgia. p. 48.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza (HPNAI), has spread throughout Indonesia since 2003. As of June 2007 there have been a total of 100 documented human cases in Indonesia, 80 of which have been fatal. Although efforts have been made to address the ongoing spread of HPNAI, outbreaks have continued. To date only 2 of the 33 provinces in Indonesia remain free of HPNAI. In an effort to prepare ~200 local field personnel working on the frontline of HPNAI in Indonesia, an ongoing series of two-week training workshops on avian influenza epidemiology have been presented in different provinces of Indonesia to provide a general understanding of the principles of veterinary epidemiology, disease investigations, monitoring strategies, data collection practices, biosecurity, and biological sample procurement. These workshops are sponsored by the Association for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Center for Indonesian Veterinary Analytical Studies, and Colorado State University. With the exchange of knowledge during these workshops also comes an exchange in understanding of the HPNAI situation. The Indonesian field veterinarians are knowledgably informed about the disease and its consequences, but they are limited in available resources for the appropriate diagnosis of the disease. There are several obstacles to the control of HPNAI in Indonesia, from the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose the disease to cultural and standard management factors that affect poultry movement from one region or island to another. The eradication of HPNAI from Indonesia will take time and the coordinated efforts of all, from the farmer up to the central government. Worldwide concern about HPNAI sets the stage for opportunities to exchange information. This opportunity not only enhances our ability to monitor HPNAI worldwide and to provide an appreciation for challenges that face Indonesia but also creates a canvas on which we can cooperatively monitor other diseases of interest such as brucellosis and rabies.