Special Report: Worldwide fight against bird flu

    JAKARTA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of poultry died from outbreaks of bird flu or Avian Influenza (AI) in four sub districts in Bantul District, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia, the national Antara News Agency reported on Thursday.

    "The districts which have been hit by AI virus are Bambanglipuro, Jetis, Piyungan and Bantul," said Sri Budoyo, an official of the Bantul district marine, fishery and animal husbandry.

    He said that rapid tests conducted on some dead poultry positively indicated that the animals had died because of the AI virus.

    "The results of the rapid tests on some dead poultry showed that they had AI. Therefore, we urged local people to be on alert and take anticipative steps," he said, adding that the current incessant rain spreading virus faster.

    There were 71 bird flu cases in 2007 and 32 cases in 2008 in Bantul and the virus has killed 115 people in the country.