The Bali Governor 'demonstrated' eating chicken
Balinese has 'no reason to panic'

Perhaps inspired by Thailand PM Thaksin Shinawatra, The Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha consumes the chicken meat in Kuta yesterday night. The activity is a gesture and message against the threat of the bird flu (AI – Avian Influenza) that has widely claimed infecting the birds in Bali.

To further support the activity, 50's randomly sampled chickens are picked out from the local market. The activity is held in Jayakarta Hotel Kuta.

Food and Beverage Manager of the hotel explained that the chicken meat is not prepared by local restaurant nor provided by the hotel's distributor. The chicken is delivered by local (Balinese) farm breeder. "If we are not mistaken, this morning (yesterday morning - red) they brought us 50 chickens. All we did was providing the ingredients for the food and to cook them". The statement was further supported by Chef Assistant, Made Tantra.

There are no hesitations to the face of Bali Governor, Dewa Made Beratha, in consuming the chicken meat. there was even time for him making jokes by giving a mouthful of chicken to a nearby reporter and said "come on take our picture" while smiling dilligently.

Before the activity, the governor held a brief 10 minutes pers conference. He was accompanied by Head of tourism Dept Bali Gde Pitana, Head of Bali Husbandry IGM Alit Eka Putra and Head of Health Department Bali. He was further explained the sole purpose of the activity that is by making sure to both Balinese and foreigners in to Bali to not worry of the AI - Bird Flu and worst, refuse to consume chicken, as long as it follows the standard and criteria of good and healthy food. "I wish to to ask all foreign and my Balinese friends to have no doubt and hesitation to consume the meat and eggs provided here or in Bali, as long as it is cooked and prepared properly, because all viruses will be dead at temperature of 60 degrees Celsius above" said the governor.

The governor further explained his proposed method of preventing the infection of the bird flu in Bali by providing serum and vaccines to be used by bird breeder. He further reference that so far there are no cases of the current virus infecting humans, and that the previous claims of a boy infected by virus is incorrect. The case was simply a case of severe breathing infection, and has got nothing to do with virus claims.

Meanwhile, The Head of Bali Husbandry, Alit Ekaputra stated that the number of aviaries (chicken, ducks and birds) death possibly caused by bird flu (AI) totaling to the sum of 398.436 and threatens to another 10 million. The death aviaries are diagnosed with Avian Influensa type A (bird flu).

He had claimed to so far isolate Bali's territory from importing meat (especially chicken) from other island in Indonesia.
He further expects total support from community to fight against the virus.

The governor himself issued statement for aviary breeder to not selling their sick animals. The sick or died chicken has to be burned or buried. This will stop the widespread infection and workers are higly encourage to use mask and be more careful with the fluid that comes out of the chicken.

Translated from local newspaper - Balipost 29th Jan 04