bali tourists beware bird flu

BALI TOURISTS BEWARE BIRD FLU
28.10.2005.

An official with the Western Australian Health Department has cautioned people travelling to Bali to be careful of chicken products.

It comes after the discovery of chickens with 'flu-like symptoms near the capital, Denpasar.

A Department spokesman, Dr Andy Robinson, says the discovery was made by agricultural officers in Bali yesterday.

Dr Robinson says the chickens are being tested and there is no confirmation yet that they have contracted the deadly bird 'flu.

"Our understanding is that there's been a number of birds that have died at a farm outside Denpasar.

"As yet, while the symptoms are suggestive of avian influenza that has not been confirmed, nor has it been confirmed that it's the H5N1 strain, which is obviously the strain of concern."