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