Media centre

By Tod Mohamed

May 14, 2007, Jakarta - UNICEF is launching a new US$3.5 million campaign to help bring the deadly bird flu virus under control in Indonesia.

The new UNICEF campaign focuses increasing awareness about bird flu and promoting healthy behaviors that can reduce the risk of contracting the virus. The new UNICEF campaign builds on the success of ongoing Tanggap Flu Burung media campaign, launched jointly with the Indonesian Government in September 2006.

The 2007 campaign will include new TV and radio public service announcements; social mobilization program in villages, a program for schoolchildren and educational programs aimed at journalists and improved national pandemic preparedness. UNICEF also supports the Indonesian National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness (KOMNAS FBPI).

“Changing the way families in Indonesia have kept birds for generations is a huge challenge and it means that people from all walks of life get involved from the government to health workers, poultry farmers, teachers…. everyone”, said UNICEF AI Project Officer Suzanna Dayne. “People need to understand why AI is such an important issue and what they can do to reduce their chances of getting sick like regular hand washing, cooking chicken well, and caging and disposing of  poultry properly”, she added.

The H5N1 avian influenza virus is an emerging, highly pathogenic viral disease that affects mainly birds. In rare cases, people can also contract the virus, usually from infected chickens.  Indonesia has now recorded 96 human cases of avian influenza, and 76 deaths - more than any other country. Experts fear the H5N1 virus could mutate into a new form that spreads easily between people, kicking off a global pandemic that could kill millions.

As part of its 2007 campaign, UNICEF will also launch new social mobilization program that directly informs rural populations about AI and how to prepare their communities to deal with the virus.

UNICEF has already started delivering 100,000 AI educational kits to 100,000 villages across the country. Village leaders will use the kits to demonstrate healthy behaviors that can reduce the risks posed by H5N1, like hand washing, wearing masks and gloves when disposing of sick birds.

Another major objective in 2007 is to work with the Indonesian government to improve pandemic preparedness measures.

The UNICEF program is being supported by funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Government of Japan, as well as private sector donors.