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Press Release
Tanggap Flu Burung !
Indonesia Launches Avian Flu Awareness Campaign
And New Komnas FBPI Office
JAKARTA, September 1. 2006 – Indonesia is launching a new national campaign to raise public awareness about avian influenza right across the archipelago. The “Tanggap Flu Burung!” campaign informs Indonesians about effective steps they can take to reduce the risk of contracting the H5N1 virus. The campaign will include television and radio spots, billboards adsm leaflets and other media.
The Indonesia National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) Secretariat is also being officially launched today. Established earlier this year by decree of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Komnas FBPI is a minister-level committee that coordinates Indonesian action aimed at controlling bird flu. Day-to-day operations are carried out by the Komnas FBPI Secretariat, which has new offices in Jakarta and a staff of 15. The Komnas FBPI Secretariat also includes a media and Information Center. A website providing up-to-date information on avian influenza, links to partners and other information is on the way.
The “Tanggap Flu Burung!” campaign is aimed at all Indonesians, including the millions of small-scale, backyard-poultry owners across the country. Their involvement is crucial in bringing bird flu under control, said Komnas FBPI Chief Executive Mr. Bayu Krisnamurthi.
“The challenge is great but not impossible. The virus spreads very fast so we must be faster,” Mr. Bayu added. “I hope that through this campaign we can once and for all take control of this threat, but we cannot do this alone. Each and every one of us must play our part,” he added.
Supported by UNICEF, with funding from the Government of Japan, the campaign is centered on four key messages: WASH, SEPARATE, REPORT, AND COOK.
- Do not touch sick or dying birds; if you do, immediately wash your hands and report to local authorities.
- Wash your hands and utensils with soap and water before you eat or cook. Cook all poultry and eggs well.
- Separate your birds and separate all new flocks for two weeks.
- Go immediately to a health clinic if you have fever with flu-like symptoms and have had contact with birds.
There will be four television and radio service announcements (PSAs) to illustrate each of the four key messages, featuring talk-show host Farhan. In addition, an emergency PSA has been developed for broadcast in outbreak areas, featuring Dr. Lula Kamal. There will also be radio spots in local language and dialects. A PSA aimed at children, featuring action star Jackie Chan, will also air on Indonesian children’s programming.
Billboards, magazine articles, and other print advertising including informational leaflets and signage will also be produced and distributed around the country.
The H5N1 virus is now endemic in poultry in 29 Indonesian provinces. To date, in Indonesia, there are 62 confirmed human cases of the disease, including 47 deaths, many of them children. There are fears that as the start of influenza season draws closer, the number of human cases could increase significantly. Health experts warn that the H5N1 avian influenza virus could mutate or obtain new genetic material, allowing it to spread more easily among humans ang potentially spark a global pandemic. A pandemic would also have disastrous effect on the nation’s economy, affecting all sectors from tourism to agriculture and trade.
TANGAP FLU BURUNG!
For further information:
Komnas FBPI – Media and Information Center
Tod Mohamed (International Media) / Judica Nababan (National Media)
Tel: (62-21) 385-4227 Fax: (62-21) 385-3515
Cellphone: 081193667 (Tod) / 0811947501 (Judica)
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