Through a series of workshops on Avian Influenza detection and prevention, villagers in Bali have joined forces with a team comprising local administration officials, virologists and UNESCO in fighting bird flu virus.

The program has also given poultry cages made from special nets worth Rp 1.2 million (US$160.60) to local breeders in three villages, Takmung in Klungkung regency, Banyubiru in Negara and Beraban in Tabanan.

"We want to encourage villagers to set up quick response mechanisms ... because the virus actually isn't that lethal. There are ways of preventing it from entering the human body," bird flu expert from Udayana University I Gusti Ngurah Mahardika told The Jakarta Post last week.

"The most important thing is whether we can increase public awareness. That is why we have to inform and educate people so they can stop the spread of the virus by themselves."

He said a workshop series had been organized for villagers on topics ranging from stopping the spread of the virus to proper ways to prepare and cook poultry and early symptoms of infection.

"People need basic know-how on this subject so they can put it make it a part of daily habits."

The three villages selected because they had been exposed to the virus in the past. Bird flu has killed a significant number of poultry in Takmung and Banyubiru, while Beraban has reported one human fatality.

Around the country, the virus has claimed 105 lives -- out of 129 reported bird flu cases.

Shinta Yuristari MD, a local physician at the Beraban village health center, said at the state of early symptoms the disease was curable. Therefore she encouraged people who became aware of possible symptoms to report immediately to a village health center.

"We keep telling people there is no need to be afraid, ashamed or embarrassed. If you have symptoms like a high fever, please immediately report to us at the health center before it's too late."

She said the health center had drugs for treating bird flu infection.

Head of Beraban village Made Sumawa said he had established a working team tasked with monitoring the existence of the virus on a daily basis. The team comprising local officials and community leaders monitors poultry at traditional markets.

The team has also monitored and inspected the poultry supply entering the village from neighboring regencies.

"We have guarded every door to the village. I hope there will be no headlines about the virus here," Sumawa said.

He said the village administration had issued a local regulation require villagers to relocate poultry away from houses. The rule also makes it mandatory for the farmers to keep birds inside cages.

"We have a team of shooters patrolling the streets to enforce this regulation. When the team encounters a roaming chicken or duck ... it takes necessary measures, including shooting it."

He said the local administration had also warned people to take serious precautions against the virus as it could jeopardize the village's tourism industry. Beraban lies near Tanah Lot temple, one of the island's top attractions.

Beraban resident Wayan Wartika praised the quick response of local administration, saying it had helped increase local awareness of the danger of the virus.

"People have begun practicing the things they learned in the workshops and through the regulation. They understand the threat of the virus."

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