Bird flu scares Medan residents

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Many residents in Medan have stopped eating chicken following the recent announcement by the central government that three people in Tangerang died of bird flu.

Many residents are now eating fish or beef instead of chicken. "I am afraid of being infected with the bird flu virus, so I am choosing to eat fish," said Magdalena Tarigan, 43, on Saturday, while shopping at the Simpang Limun market.

The bird flu scare has affected chicken vendors. "Sales have dropped by up to 70 percent since the announcement by the central government last week," said Usman, a chicken vendor in Halat market. -- JP