# 1573
A year ago this week, Indonesia announced a sweeping plan to rid most of that nation of backyard poultry. Despite many public displays of culling in February of 2007, this edict lost momentum, and many people continue to raise birds of all kinds in their homes and back yards across Indonesia.
While the Indonesian central government can issue proclamations, their enforcement often leaves a lot to be desired.
Today, in the wake of much negative press over their 100th bird flu fatality, Indonesia is announcing a new `3 year plan'. One can only hope it is more successful than the last one.
The details from AFP via Asia Pacific News.
Indonesia launches bird flu plan as death toll tops 100
Posted: 30 January 2008 2033 hrs
JAKARTA - Indonesia on Wednesday launched a new three-year plan to fight bird flu, just days after the confirmed death toll topped 100 in the country hardest hit by the H5N1 virus.
The plan will be funded by a 20-million-dollar European Union (EU) grant channelled through the World Health Organisation (WHO), the health ministry's disease control director Nyoman Kandun told reporters here.
Indonesia accounts for just under half of the 224 human bird flu deaths worldwide, according to WHO figures. The 100th victim died on Sunday, and the 101st fatality was recorded on Tuesday.
Kandun said Indonesia would need to meet with EU and WHO officials on a "routine basis" in order for the plan to work.
WHO's Indonesia representative Subhash Salunke said the strategy would focus on preventing new infections, better monitoring of the spread of the virus and continued scientific research.
"Prevention of new cases remains an urgent priority, while improving survival (rate) of those infected is another major priority," he said.
The prevention campaign would include ramped up efforts to improve hygiene in the country's wet markets and public awareness initiatives.
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