Australia will increase assistance to Indonesia to help the Southeast Asian nation to combat the threat of Avian Influenza.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced Thursday that Australia will provide Indonesia an additional 10 million Australian dollars (7.6 million US dollars) in assistance, bringing Australia's total assistance package to Indonesia on Avian Influenza to 15.5 million dollars (11.78 million US dollars).

"This funding will help Indonesia improve its response to a potential outbreak in key areas such as detection, diagnosis and containment of the virus, public awareness-raising and information-sharing," Downer said in a statement.

"This new package of assistance is a result of recommendations from the report of the high-level Australian Avian Influenza team led by AusAID's Director-General that traveled to Indonesia last week," he said.

He said the expert team identified the need for immediate Australian support for establishing outbreak investigation teams, upgrading Indonesia's human and animal health laboratory facilities in provincial centers and some other areas.

"This assistance demonstrates the Australian Government's commitment to supporting the Indonesian Government in its efforts to combat Avian Influenza, and the active leadership role we are taking in responding to this threat in the region," Downer said.

"These measures will both complement and strengthen existing Australian Government assistance to the region. Total Australian assistance to the region for Avian Influenza and other zoonotic diseases now stands at over 30 million Australia dollars (22.8 million US dollars)," he said.

Source: Xinhua