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JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities will intensify efforts to contain the spread of the bird flu menace in Jakarta and its neighbouring districts commonly known as Jabodetabek.
Seventy per cent of the 105 human deaths caused by the H5N1 virus occurred in areas that are densely populated.
Indonesia has the highest number of bird flu fatalities in the world. Ten people have died since the beginning of this year.
To contain further spread of the virus, Indonesia's national commission dealing with bird flu will put in place ten measures.
These include minimising transportation of live poultry and restructuring of poultry farms and slaughtering houses.
Chairman of the commission Bayu Krisnamurthi said: "It's confirmed that by 2010, the sale of live poultry in Jakarta markets won't be allowed. We've also urged (poultry sellers in) other districts surrounding Jakarta... to be prepared."
He also pointed out the common traits of areas that are affected by the bird flu virus: "Densely populated... areas that do not have proper sanitation. There's also a higher degree of contact between live poultry and humans. There are interactions among various animals, such as chicken, ducks and pigs, in those areas." - CNA/ac
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