Blood samples sent to Jakarta for flu tests

Blood samples sent to Jakarta for flu tests

SEMARANG, Central Java: Central Java health officials have sent
samples of blood taken from 33 employees of Tinjomoyo Zoo in
Semarang to Jakarta for analysis. The dispatch of blood samples
is aimed at checking whether the people have been infected with
the bird flu virus, said chief of Central Java health office
Budihardja on Thursday.

The blood samples will be analyzed at the Ministry of Health's
health research and development section and the checking will
take seven days, said Budihardja.

The blood tests were taken after eight birds were declared to
have been infected with avian influenza virus recently. The
birds, including a chicken and an eagle, have been put down.
While the blood tests are being undertaken, the zoo will be
closed, starting Thursday. -- Antara