Ministers sound alarm over bird flu, by Rendi Akhmad Witular

With more human cases of bird flu being reported in the country, ministers warn the virus may be mutating into a more virulent form that is capable of being transmitted from human to human.

"The amount of time between contracting the virus and death is becoming shorter, raising the possibility the virus is becoming more virulent," Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono said Wednesday before a limited Cabinet meeting with governors from five provinces to discuss efforts to combat bird flu. The meeting comes at a time of increased criticism over the government's perceived failure to respond to the crisis with the necessary speed or force.