Bird flu may spread in Samarinda

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Poultry breeders have to be more vigilant over possible outbreaks of bird flu, a senior official has warned.

The warning was issued after 30 chickens were found dead recently in Sidomulya subdistrict, Samarinda. The government is conducting laboratory tests to confirm whether the chickens actually died from bird flu virus, said Rini Purwati, chief of Samarinda animal husbandry office.

The office will intensify surveillance of poultry farms in order to prevent possible spread of the disease, said Rini. -- JP