The Government Is Optimistic To Control The PMK Outbreak, Task Force: We Also Convince The International Community

Illustration of cattle exposed to mouth and hoof disease (FMD) examined by medical officers. (Ministry of Agriculture Public Relations Doc)

JAKARTA - The Task Force for Handling Mouth and Nail Diseases (PMK) continues to convince the international community that Indonesia is able to control the epidemic that attacks livestock.

The head of the PMK Task Force Expert Team, Wiku Adisasmito, is optimistic that Indonesia will be able to control the FMD outbreak. This includes continuing to strive so that farmers can resume their activities and get good results from their farms.

"We also assure the international community that Indonesia is able to control this epidemic," said Wiku in a written statement, Thursday, August 4.

He added that the government believes the FMD virus can be immediately overcome by implementing the predetermined strategy.

One form of handling, namely improving coordination between the center and the regions. Based on Antara's report, this aims to get a better FMD case report so that it can describe the condition of the outbreak in Indonesia.

The FMD Handling Task Force and the Ministry of Agriculture have built coordination and networks between stakeholders in controlling FMD disease, as well as strengthening transparent and accountable data.

On the other hand, the government continues to cooperate with the community to deal with the FMD outbreak. Therefore, according to Wiku, the active participation of the community is needed to follow the government's recommendations, with the hope that the FMD outbreak in the country can be controlled.

Wiku also said that the government appealed to all Indonesians to maintain the biosecurity system in place.

"The community, especially breeders, can proactively report to service officers or village reporters, if any of their livestock experience clinical symptoms of FMD," said Wiku.

Wiku conveyed this so that livestock suspected of being infected with FMD could immediately be given follow-up actions, such as physical examinations and treatment by veterinary medical personnel and veterinary paramedics.