Herbal medicine

Herbal medicine
drinks and bird flu

It is of concern that the time of year is fast approaching in
Indonesia when colds and flu become commonplace. It is also of
concern that there are currently reports of new cases of bird flu
among adults and children.

It is said that all that is needed to spark a human (bird) flu
pandemic is for the bird flu virus to exchange DNA with a normal
human flu virus.

With this in mind, the government recently announced six steps
to be taken in order to restrict transmission of bird flu among
the animal population and to humans.

However, what seems to have been overlooked is the inclusion
of a warning to the public at large against the use of raw free-
range chicken eggs (telur kampung) in jamu (herbal health
drinks), which are commonly sold on the streets and made at home.

The use of telor kampung -- plus a little honey -- in these
herbal medicinal drinks is widespread throughout Indonesia and
should not be overlooked in the search for sources of
transmission.

The Indonesian authorities and those of other countries would
also be wise to note the use of raw egg-white in the preparation
of cream for use as cake fillings; for example, in chocolate
eclairs, cream buns, etc.

Let us pray and also use our common sense in order to restrict
transmission and spread of this worrying infectious disease.

ROBIN HOLMAN
Denpasar