Livestock Vaccination Must Be Done Immediately, Puan: Also Increase Veterinarians In FMD Affected Areas

Illustration of cattle belonging to residents of West Lombok, NTB, amid the threat of PMK. (ANTARA/Nirkomala)

JAKARTA - The government is urged to accelerate various efforts to control the spread of Mouth and Nail Diseases (FMD) in livestock. The disease that attacks cows has made many people worried, especially ahead of Eid al-Adha.

"The case of PMK in livestock has become more serious because its spread is increasingly widespread. The government must immediately control it because people are getting more and more anxious considering that Eid al-Adha will soon be over," said DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, Friday, June 10 in a written statement.

Eid al-Adha is synonymous with the slaughter of sacrificial animals such as cows and goats. On the one hand, the spread of foot and mouth disease in livestock has spread to 18 provinces and 163 districts/cities.

Although the government has stated that the sacrificial animals provided this year are not from areas that have been confirmed by PMK, the public's concern is still there. Puan also reminded the government to respond to people's anxiety, especially Muslims.

"DPR hopes that vaccinations to suppress cases of foot and mouth disease in farm animals will be carried out immediately. That way, we can prevent the virus from spreading further," continued Puan.

Puan said that vaccination for livestock that were not exposed to FMD should be prioritized for areas already infected with mouth and foot disease and the surrounding areas. There are 3 million doses of vaccine coming soon with a designation for areas affected by foot and mouth disease.

“The government must also increase the number of veterinarians in the affected areas. Because some areas are already feeling overwhelmed due to the lack of medical personnel in charge of injecting drugs for cows exposed to FMD,” said Puan.

“Due to the lack of veterinarians, the handling of cows exposed to FMD is slow, as happened in NTB. This PMK problem is quite serious because it can also have an impact on the Indonesian economy," he added.

Puan also asked the Center to cooperate with the Regional Government to tighten the supervision of the sale of livestock, especially in livestock markets and seasonal animal traders, which often appear ahead of Eid al-Adha.

“The spread of PMK also has the potential to occur in the market. Therefore, cooperation from all elements of society is needed in anticipating the spread of this PMK problem, including community and religious leaders," said Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for PMK also supports the plan to establish a PMK task force up to the local government level. Puan emphasized that the DPR is committed to overseeing all PMK control policies through the functions of legislation, budgeting, and supervision.

"The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia through Commission IV will continue to oversee the development of the handling of oral and nail diseases in these animals," he said.

In addition, Puan asked the Government to be supported by all relevant stakeholders to be more massive in socializing various matters regarding PMK. Effective socialization is considered to minimize public anxiety.

“Education for citizens must be intensified as a guarantee of the safety of the sacrificial meat. Including the processing of meat that is safe for consumption," said Puan.

The grandson of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia Bung Karno also hopes that the public will not be too worried, although they must remain vigilant against animals exposed to FMD. Puan said that the most important thing is that the meat is processed properly.

“Before consumption, freeze the meat first in the refrigerator at a temperature above 2 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Or by boiling the meat at a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes," he concluded.