Even as Indonesia struggles to cope with the full extent of bird flu, the country's top official in charge of animal health has been transferred from his post. But agriculture ministry spokesman only commented that Sjamsul Bahri's transfer was of a routine nature.
Sjamsul Bahri was working as director of animal health at the agriculture ministry since September 2005. Since his departure comes in the midst of worsening avian flu situation in the country, which has so far reported 40 deaths, it is assumed that his inaction is the cause for his transfer.A report in Koran Tempo said Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono was livid with Bahri for his poor handling of the situation.
According to the World Health Organization, bird flu has killed at least 130 people worldwide since reemerging in 2003.
