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