JAKARTA, Sept. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The Indonesian government decided to temporarily close the Ragunan Zoo here after authorities confirmed avian influenza outbreak among birds and chickens in the country's largest fauna garden, local media reports said Monday.

    The closure was ordered by Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriantono after at least 19 wild birds and chickens, including a condor and a peacock, kept in the zoo were tested positive of bird flu, reported the Detikcom online news service as saying.

    The 140-hectare zoo is closed for 21 days, it said.

    Earlier on Sunday, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said the government would not take any risk after bird flu outbreak was detected in the zoo, which is frequented mostly by children.

    The closure would allow the medical team to launch thorough investigation and take preventive measures, he added.

    The Ministry of Health has confirmed that four Indonesians have died of bird flu recently. Enditem