This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6319529.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Poultry ban enforced in Jakarta Poultry ban enforced in Jakarta
(about 3 hours later)
New rules have come into effect in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, banning people from keeping domestic birds.New rules have come into effect in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, banning people from keeping domestic birds.
The regulations are the latest attempt to stem the bird flu virus, which is endemic in the poultry population.The regulations are the latest attempt to stem the bird flu virus, which is endemic in the poultry population.
Five Indonesian citizens have died so far this year from the disease, and the government is under huge pressure to take tough action.Five Indonesian citizens have died so far this year from the disease, and the government is under huge pressure to take tough action.
But enforcing this new policy could prove difficult, according to the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta.But enforcing this new policy could prove difficult, according to the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta.
Backyard poultry farming is a long-established tradition, as a way to supplement the family income, and before the culling began, hundreds of thousands of birds were estimated to be in the city.Backyard poultry farming is a long-established tradition, as a way to supplement the family income, and before the culling began, hundreds of thousands of birds were estimated to be in the city.
City patrolCity patrol
The new regulations were announced two weeks ago, but the ban has only now come into force.The new regulations were announced two weeks ago, but the ban has only now come into force.
Ban ends 'way of life' Q&A: Bird flu
Jakarta's governor, Sutiyoso, kicked off the enforcement with a patrol around the capital on Thursday, checking local homes and backyards for chickens, ducks and other domestic birds.Jakarta's governor, Sutiyoso, kicked off the enforcement with a patrol around the capital on Thursday, checking local homes and backyards for chickens, ducks and other domestic birds.
According to our correspondent, who was with him on the patrol, it was anything but a surprise inspection, with dozens of police and officials waiting in various locations for the governor's arrival.According to our correspondent, who was with him on the patrol, it was anything but a surprise inspection, with dozens of police and officials waiting in various locations for the governor's arrival.
QUICK GUIDE href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/quick_guides/05/health_bird_flu/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/quick_guides/05/health_bird_flu/html/1.stm', '1118663144', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=600,height=430,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Bird fluThe mayor of central Jakarta, Muhayat, said he was confident that the new policy was being adhered to by the local population. The mayor of central Jakarta, Muhayat, said he was confident that the new policy was being adhered to by the local population.
"I can guarantee there are no backyard birds in central Jakarta," he told the Associated Press. "The people here are now fully aware of the disease and voluntarily culled their birds.""I can guarantee there are no backyard birds in central Jakarta," he told the Associated Press. "The people here are now fully aware of the disease and voluntarily culled their birds."
But our correspondent says some local people have described the new rules as too drastic.But our correspondent says some local people have described the new rules as too drastic.
There are reports that some residents are hiding their birds, and there is also concern that corrupt officials will be susceptible to bribes to keep quiet about remaining poultry stocks.There are reports that some residents are hiding their birds, and there is also concern that corrupt officials will be susceptible to bribes to keep quiet about remaining poultry stocks.
Most affected countryMost affected country
Jakarta is the first area to enforce this ban, but several other parts of Indonesia are scheduled to follow.Jakarta is the first area to enforce this ban, but several other parts of Indonesia are scheduled to follow.
Indonesia has been under criticism for failing to crack down on bird flu, ever since it first appeared in poultry stocks in the country nearly four years ago.Indonesia has been under criticism for failing to crack down on bird flu, ever since it first appeared in poultry stocks in the country nearly four years ago.
Officials are keen to shed the image that they are being slow to tackle the virus, and after a recent spate of human deaths at the beginning of the year, they vowed to put the ban in place.Officials are keen to shed the image that they are being slow to tackle the virus, and after a recent spate of human deaths at the beginning of the year, they vowed to put the ban in place.
A total of 63 Indonesians have now died of the disease, and the country has recorded the highest human death toll from the virus in the world.A total of 63 Indonesians have now died of the disease, and the country has recorded the highest human death toll from the virus in the world.
While the vast majority of deaths have been traced back to contact with infected birds, health officials fear the virus could mutate into a form that is easily passed between humans.While the vast majority of deaths have been traced back to contact with infected birds, health officials fear the virus could mutate into a form that is easily passed between humans.