T

he North Sulawesi Agriculture and Husbandry Agency has confirmed that dozens of ducks died suddenly in Kopandakan I subdistrict, South Kotamobagu district, last week after contracting avian flu.

Head of the agency’s animal health section, Syenie Kalangi, said the agency had ordered all birds in the surrounding area be culled to prevent further spread of the H5N1 virus.

“The result of the rapid test showed that the birds died of the virus,” Syenie said, adding that the agency’s team had promptly culled the ducks suspected to have contracted the virus.

According to Syenie, her agency had been informed of the sudden deaths by the Kotamobagu husbandry, fishery, horticulture, forestry and food security agencies (DP4K and KP).

She said apart from confirming the cause of the deaths, her agency’s team had also taken samples for a laboratory test in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The laboratory test was considered necessary because based on the information from the field, only ducks died and not chicken.

“We are afraid that the virus attacking the ducks in Kotamobagu is a new strain,” she said, adding that the test only detected viruses in the dead birds.

A member of the agency’s team, veterinarian Nyoman Weli, said the case in Kotamobagu was the first in the province in which the H5N1 virus only attacked a particular bird species.

“That’s why the laboratory test in Makassar is needed,” said Nyoman, adding that the samples would be taken to Makassar on Monday and the results were expected to be ready in a week.

He also suggested that in anticipation of wider spread of the virus, all birds located within a 40-meter radius of where the ducks were found dead would be culled.

However, the call to cull the ducks has been met with protest from locals, who suggest the birds be kept in sterilized cages. “But when there are signs of a virus attacking the birds, it is better for them to be culled,” Nyoman said.

Separately, head of the Kotamobagu DP4K and KP, Hardi Mokodompit, said several measures would be taken to deal with the avian flu cases, including telling people to directly report any sudden bird deaths.

“Officers will also disinfectant the neighborhood,” said Hardi, adding that quick-response officers were prepared to deal with the matter.

Kopandakan I subdistrict head Muslim Tungkagi said the avian flu case was shocking for locals.

“I call on bird owners to remain alert and inform the subdistrict administration if they suspect any avian flu cases,” Muslim said.