Unsoed Academics Reveal Biosecurity Can Prevent Mouth And Nail Diseases In Livestock

Illustration of anticipating the spread of mouth and nail disease (FMD) in cattle. (Between)

SEMARANG - Academic from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Juni Sumarmono, Ph.D said that mouth and nail disease (FMD) in livestock can be prevented with strict biosecurity

"Essentially, strict biosecurity is needed to prevent disease germs," said Juni Sumarmono in Purwokerto, Banyumas, Friday, May 13.

He added, all parties also need to move quickly to take all measures to prevent the spread of PMK.

"Indonesia has been declared free of PMK and now the case has appeared again. If it expands later, it will take a long time and big costs to handle it," he said.

Juni added, the public can participate by reporting cases of FMD in their own animals, burning the remains of infected animals and not bringing infected animals to other areas.

The Unsoed Faculty of Animal Husbandry lecturer in the special field of postharvest handling and processing technology for livestock products added that FMD is a disease caused by a virus and attacks split-legged animals such as cows, goats, pigs and so on.

"FMD is acute, spreads quickly and causes great losses due to decreased livestock productivity and death. Common symptoms of FMD include fever accompanied by blisters on the tongue, lips, mouth, nipples and between the nails," he said.

The cause of FMD, he said, is an aphthovirus that spreads from animal to animal and so far there is no strong evidence that the virus that causes FMD can be transmitted to humans through the meat or milk of animals affected by FMD.

"Especially if the meat or milk is cooked at a high temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius and sufficient time. Besides, it is not exposed to re-contamination, for example after being cooked it is mixed with raw livestock parts," he said.

However, he said, cattle that are clearly infected with FMD need to be treated first until they are cured before being slaughtered or consuming their milk.

"Parts of the body that show symptoms such as the mouth and also the parts around the nails should be destroyed, not consumed," he said.

Meanwhile, he also reminded that the way to prevent FMD is similar to preventing the spread of COVID-19, namely isolating infected animals, closing areas where there have been no cases from the entry of hoofed animals from other areas, as well as disinfection and destruction of animals or animal parts that died due to FMD. .

"It is necessary to immediately carry out zoning, and prevent livestock mobility, especially to areas that are still free of PMK. Quarantine centers need to be optimized," he said.