Outbreak of bird flu reported in Indonesia

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JAKARTA, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Indonesian authorities say three provincial regions have been affected by bird flu and thousands of chickens and ducks have been culled to prevent its spread.

Local officials have also carried out disinfectant spraying in three areas of Bengkulu Province after a 14-year-old junior high school girl's death was confirmed as being caused by the H5N1 avian influenza virus, Indonesia's Antara news service reported Thursday.

The disease has killed thousands of chickens in Kaphaing, Central Bengkulu and Bengkulu city, Emran Kuswadi, a coordinator of the bird flu eradication program, said.

Bird flu virus has spread to at least 30 urban neighborhoods in Bengkulu city, he said.

The death of the school girl in Central Java was confirmed by district health officials, who said tests on body fluids showed she had been infected with the virus.