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Alarm at Indonesia bird flu ads
Indonesian bird
flu chiefs have hit back at a wave of adverts
featuring air conditioners which manufacturers
say can tackle the virus.
Several world-renowned manufacturers claim their
products can kill bird flu using new technologies
including a substance derived from a Korean
pickle.
Indonesia is the country worst hit by bird flu.
Scientists here say their main concern is with
the claims being made in newspaper and television
adverts.
Several companies say they are selling air conditioners
and air purifiers which can kill 99% of the
bird flu virus.
Some manufacturers say they rely on ionizing
the air to kill the virus, while others say
that an enzyme derived from the Korean pickle
kimchi is just as effective.
Continued infections
But scientists at Indonesia's foremost agricultural
institute say more tests are needed to verify
these claims.
The head of Indonesia's bird flu taskforce,
Bayu Krishnamurthi, said he was worried by the
message being sent to customers.
"It has not been scientifically proven
that air conditioners can prevent the spread
of the virus," he said.
"We have communicated this to companies
that have broadcast advertisements saying their
product can prevent the spread of the virus.
"We have asked them to conduct product
tests using the Indonesian strain of the H5N1
virus."
Criticism over the country's handling of the
disease has led to fresh attempts over the past
year to raise awareness.
Funding has been increased and new public education
and training programmes launched - but infections
continue.
Two people died from the disease this week,
bringing the total number of deaths in the country
to 59.
Most human cases are the result of contact with
sick poultry.
But experts worry that human infections increase
the chances for the virus to mutate into a form
that is easily passed between people, which
could lay the ground for a global pandemic.
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