Bird Flu spreading FAST in asia

Dead heron tests positive for bird flu in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AP) - A dead gray heron found near Hong Kong's border with
mainland China has tested positive for bird flu, in the third such
case in the territory this year, the government said Monday.

The heron, found 10 days ago in the Lok Ma Chau area, was confirmed to
have been stricken by the H5N1 avian flu virus that has killed 32
people in Vietnam and Thailand this year.

All 20 poultry farms within five kilometers (three miles) were
inspected by health officials, and birds there showed no symptoms of
avian flu, the government said in a statement.

Last month, another dead gray heron with the H5N1 virus was found in
the same area. In January, a dead peregrine falcon tested positive for
bird flu.

Poultry in Hong Kong have not been hit by the bird flu outbreak this
year.

In 1997, the disease crossed over to humans in Hong Kong and killed
six people. That outbreak forced the government to destroy all 1.4
million chickens in the territory.

Avian flu ravaged Asia earlier this year, killing millions of birds.

The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that if the
current avian flu virus mutates, it could lead to the next global flu
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Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in Indonesia

"PA"

An outbreak of bird flu in eastern Indonesia has infected more than
20,000 chickens, highlighting the country's continuing struggle
against the disease, a media report said today.

Authorities in Mataram, the capital of Lombok island, are distributing
some 250,000 doses of vaccine to farmers in the worst-hit area to
prevent the spread, The Jakarta Post reported.

The report did not identify the strain of the disease. No human cases
had occurred on the island, 670 miles east of Jakarta, the report
said.

Avian flu ravaged Asia earlier this year, killing millions of birds.
The H5N1 strain also jumped to humans, killing 32 people in Vietnam
and Thailand.

Indonesia suffered outbreaks of the disease in several regions in
February and July, but there were no reported cases of human
infections.

The World Health Organization has warned that if the current avian flu
virus mutates into a form that spreads easily among people it could
lead to the next global flu pandemic, which could kill tens of
millions of perople worldwide.