Commonground
Senior Moderator
April 25, 2008
Indonesia opens major exercise to prepare for bird flu pandemic
BALI - INDONESIA opened a major bird flu simulation on Friday that will test its preparedness for a potentially catastrophic pandemic.
About 1,000 government, health and law enforcement officials were at the three-day event on the resort island of Bali to consider how to contain a possible widespread outbreak of the often-lethal disease.
It would begin with the isolation of a village where a field hospital would be set up to treat people with flu-like symptoms. At the closing on Sunday, officials will try to prevent 'infected' travelers from leaving the international airport and spreading the virus to other countries.
'This is the only exercise in the world (of its kind) that is ever taking place,' said Mr Subhash Salunke, the World Health Organisation's top official in Indonesia. 'This will certainly equip Indonesia in the event of a pandemic.'
It will be an example to other countries struggling to contain outbreaks of the disease, he said.
Indonesia is the country worst effected by the avian influenza, with nearly half of 240 deaths recorded worldwide. Scientists fear it could become the source for a more deadly strain that can pass easily between humans. -- AP
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Asia/STIStory_230914.html