Bird Flu Confirmed in Indonesia

Via ProMED-mail: Reuters reports that Indonesia has confirmed three deaths from avian influenza.

Last month, Indonesia reported its first human case in a poultry worker, but the man did not develop symptoms and is healthy.
The agriculture ministry has reported sporadic H5N1 virus outbreaks killing more than nine million fowl in 21 provinces, out of a total of 33, across the archipelago since late 2003.
Indonesian policy favours vaccinating animals rather than culling to stop the spread of bird flu, due to lack of funds to compensate farmers.
The World Health Organisaton has questioned the effectiveness of vaccines and say culling is the best weapon.
The virus has already jumped species in Indonesia and was discovered in pigs in May on densely populated Java island.