With bird flu already claiming at least 11 lives in Indonesia, Jakartans are
aware that the lethal virus is a problem, however they do not appear to be
overly worried compared to other Asia-Pacific countries, a survey shows.
Conducted in Jakarta early this month by Taylor Nelson Sofres
(TNS) -- a leading London-based market research company, the survey found that
77 percent of 300 respondents aged from 17 to 65 have chosen to eat less
poultry, indicating that some precautions are being taken.
On the other hand, the research published Saturday by The Jakarta Post
newspaper shows a lack of knowledge among people, as cooking chickens generally
kills the virus provided the meat is heated to 70 Celsius degree or higher.
Almost 40 percent of respondents expect avian flu to become a serious problem
within six months, while 48 percent said it would be longer than six months.
"Indonesians, at least in Jakarta, recognize that bird flu is a 'real'
problem. At the moment they eat less poultry, but what theywant is more security
through a vaccination program," TNS Indonesia managing director Hans Lang said.
The Indonesian government confirmed on Thursday that a man and a boy died of
bird flu, bringing the country's fatalities from thevirus to 11, and the total
number of confirmed bird flu cases to 16.