Professor Of Immunology IPB Calls The Death Rate Due To FMD In Livestock In Indonesia Is Low

A veterinarian checks the condition of cattle in Bantul Regency, DIY (Antara/Hery Sidik)

JAKARTA - Professor of Immunology at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical (SKHB) IPB University Prof. I Wayan Teguh Wibawan stated that mouth and nail disease (FMD) is an even-toed animal disease that is easily transmitted but has a low mortality rate.

“The death rate, in this case, is below five percent. Early treatment of this disease will provide a high cure rate. Some of the drugs that can be given for FMD are antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and vitamins to increase immunity," said I Wayan Teguh Wibawan at a webinar quoted from IPB University's written statement, Saturday.

According to Wayan Teguh, the key to handling FMD in Indonesia is controlling livestock traffic, implementing strict biosecurity, and implementing vaccinations.

"There are seven serotypes of FMD virus in the world and the most infecting ones are serotypes A and O," he said.

Meanwhile, Drh Pebi Purwo Suseno from the Directorate of Animal Health, Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health (PKH) of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, said that the FMD disease that attacks livestock in Indonesia is serotype O.

“Cows are an indicator species, namely animals that show very clear symptoms. Pigs are an 'amplifying host', ie a host that can accelerate the replication of FMD virus. Sheep and goats are livestock that do not show clear clinical symptoms," he said as quoted by Antara.

Some of the principles of preventing the spread of FMD disease, he said, were to prevent contact of sensitive animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs with the FMD virus.

According to him, the main effort to prevent FMD is biosecurity. Animals can be transported by inspection by an authorized veterinarian in advance to obtain an animal health certificate (SKKH).

“Meat from animals suffering from FMD that are accidentally slaughtered is safe for consumption and not harmful to humans. Some herbs and herbs that can increase immunity can be applied to treat FMD,” he added.

Meanwhile, the hectic issue of FMD in livestock, especially cattle, has resulted in a decline in beef sales in a number of areas.

A beef trader at the Baturaja traditional market, Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, South Sumatra, stated that sales turnover had fallen due to information about the spread of FMD.

According to Adi, one of the beef traders at Pasar Atas Baturaja, he is worried that the FMD transmission case will have an impact on the sales turnover of beef dropping dramatically.

Prior to the FMD outbreak, he said, before the number of FMD cases, beef sales could reach 50 kg per liver, but at most only 30 kg per day.

The same problem also occurred in the city of Kediri, East Java, beef traders at Pahing Market in the city complained about declining sales after the hectic FMD cases.

A trader at Pahing Market, Kediri City, Sri Wahyuni, stated that since the hectic FMD cases, beef sales have decreased by 50 percent.

According to her, the FMD case made people think twice about buying a lot of beef. She is worried that if the FMD case doesn't disappear soon, beef sales will be quieter.