Safari park ruled free of bird flu

Safari park ruled free of bird flu

BOGOR, West Java: Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono
declared on Saturday the Indonesian Safari Park here free from
bird flu virus.

The minister made the announcement following a three-hour
inspection of the park.

"I have seen firsthand the condition of the park and checked
birds and fowls here. Previously we conducted tests on 50 blood
samples of fowls, which were proven negative," Anton said.

Despite the clearance, Anton asked the park management to
breed chickens to enable it to quickly notice signs of a bird flu
outbreak.

The park's director Frans Manansang said the plan was on the
management's agenda, and would be realized soon.

To prevent the virus from spreading, the park management has
provided special footwear and required visitors to wash their
hands with disinfected water prior to entering and leaving the
park. -- JP