A researcher from Surabaya's Airlangga University, Chairul Anwar Nidom, has called on the government to pay serious attention to the spread of swine (H1N1) flu in cities across East Java.

"Actually, the H1N1 flu virus has been here since 2000, but the Indonesian type of H1N1 is not fatal. In 2005, I warned the government the virus could possibly mutate and unite with bird flu (H5N1) and become more dangerous," Nidom who is head of the university's bird flu laboratory, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Nidom said the current strain of H1NI flu in Indonesia, which had spread to Jember, Banyuwangi and Surabaya, could mutate into a more serious virus like the one experienced in Mexico.

The laboratory has recorded at least 10 cases of H1NI flu in Surabaya since 2007.

Nidom explained that theoretically, the H5N1 virus could spread from mammals such as pigs before affecting humans. "It's possible the H5N1 virus could unite with the H1N1 virus in pigs. Based on this pattern, the H1N1 and H5N1 could develop into a new virus," he said.

He said bird and swine farms, which were located in close proximity to each other, supported the unification of swine and bird flu viruses.

Another researcher from Jember University, Romadhoni, confirmed that Indonesia already has a local type of the H1N1 flu, despite public fear about the Mexican strain.

"Based on my observation at Jember Lung Hospital, the swine flu *local type* produces the same symptoms as standard influenza, such as high fevers and coughs," Romadhoni said.

The hospital director, Arya Sidhemen revealed the hospital has been monitoring global influenza under the direction of the Health Ministry in cooperation with US NAMRU-2 laboratory in Jakarta.

"We have sent samples from every influenza patient to Jakarta. But, unfortunately the cooperation was discontinued last year," Arya said.

Yumarlis, a spokesman from the Jember Health Agency denied that a case of H1N1 flu was found in the regency. "Soebandi General Hospital, which has been appointed as the referal hospital, has not reported any cases of H1N1 flu. People should not be panic."

"We are also continuing to monitor farms and warn people, as well as checking on Indonesian migrant workers who have returned home."

Yumarlis said the local husbandry agency had also sprayed disinfectant at swine farms in Jember.

Based on the data from the East Java Statistics Bureau, the number of swine in the province was 75,019 in 2008.

Popular

Indonesian hotel chain confirms exit from Cuba

Corruption scandals, rupiah fall revive reshuffle talks

Health Ministry to push regulation on tobacco plain packaging