On a Wing and a Prayer

Indonesia is more affected by H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza than any other country in the world. Since 2003, when it was first detected in central Java, avian influenza has spread to 31 out of 33 provinces, caused $470 million in economic losses, ¹ disrupted the livelihoods of over 10 million people who are dependent on the poultry industry ² and killed 115 people out of 141 confirmed human cases, mainly children and young adults. ³ Indonesia has also received the largest financial commitment to fight avian influenza from the international community, totalling over $132 million. ⁴ This has resulted in huge programmes of surveillance, culling, vaccination, and information and behaviour change communications, led largely by UN agencies, and some improvements to the health system. Despite these efforts, avian influenza remains endemic in Java, Sumatra, Bali and Sulawesi, and sporadic outbreaks continue to be reported in other areas. ⁵