Padang Pariaman Closes 2 Livestock Markets Although No Cases Of Mouth And Nail Diseases Yet

Livestock Market Activities in Sungai Sariak District, Padang Pariaman. (ANTARA/Aadiaat MS)

PADANG - The district government of Padang Pariaman has closed the operations of two of the three livestock markets in its area to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (PMK). The closure is temporary.

Head of the local Livestock and Animal Health Service, Bustanil Arifin, said that mouth and nail disease (PMK) has infected as many as 59 cows and buffaloes in Padang Pariaman.

"We have closed the Sariak River and V Koto (Kampuang Dalam) Livestock Markets for two weeks to anticipate the spread of FMD to livestock in Padang Pariaman," he said in Parik Malintang, West Sumatra, Wednesday 18 May.

He explained that the two livestock markets were closed because they are locations that actively sell livestock compared to the other three markets. "The other markets are not active so only these two markets are temporarily closed," he said.

He conveyed that the closure of the two livestock markets was carried out for two weeks because the incubation period of the virus that attacks the mouth and hooves of livestock is estimated to be 14 days.

To realize the policy, he said, a Circular Letter of the Regent of Padang Pariaman Number 524/268/Disnakkeswan/V-2022 concerning the Control and Management of Mouth and Nail Diseases in Padang Pariaman was made.

His party has also coordinated with the local police to help temporarily close the livestock market.

Previously, the Padang Pariaman Regency Government recorded that 59 livestock consisting of seven buffalo and 52 cows in the area were confirmed to be infected with FMD.

"After the central government found PMK in East Java, on Friday, May 13, we went to the field to see the condition of the livestock," said Bustanil.

He said, from the search, it was reported that there were cattle that had the same characteristics as cattle infected with FMD which were then reported to the Bukittinggi Veterinary Center.

According to him, the local government has sprayed the livestock area with confirmed FMD disease with disinfectant to anticipate the spread of the disease.

"We have also provided medicine and vitamins for cattle infected with FMD," he said.

Since the case of livestock contracting PMK disease in Padang Pariaman, he said, his party has prohibited farmers from buying livestock from outside the region.