46 Cows In Rejang Lebong Bengkulu Infected With PMK

The livestock checkpoint established by the PMK Rejang Lebong Task Force. (ANTARA/HO-Disnakan Rejang Lebong)

BENGKULU - The Agriculture and Fisheries Service (Disnakan) of Rejang Lebong Regency said 46 cattle in the area were declared infected with mouth and nail disease (PMK).

Head of the Rejang Disnakan Lebong Zulkarnain said the presence of the infected cattle was discovered after his party conducted a PCR sample test on three cattle from the area to the Lampung Veterinary Center a few weeks ago.

"Yesterday, 46 cows were added and today there are four, so the number of infected cows to date is 50," he said in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu Province, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, June 15.

He explained that the number of livestock infected with FMD is likely to continue to grow considering that it is spreading so fast, especially cattle that live in one cage.

Although there are already dozens of cattle in the area infected with FMD, he said, no dead cattle have been found.

To anticipate the spread of the virus that attacks the two-toed cattle, his party has formed a PMK task force, then conducts livestock traffic inspections.

Meanwhile, other efforts are to provide treatment to infected livestock in accordance with applicable SOPs, quarantine infected livestock, spray cages with disinfectant and provide education to farmers to maintain the cleanliness of the cages and the steps that can be taken in handling it.

"We also socialize alternative medicine methods that can be used by farmers by making a concoction of brown sugar to replace energy, tamarind to dissolve mucus in the trachea, and turmeric for antibiotics. All of these ingredients are boiled and then drunk to their livestock," he explained.

He appealed to breeders in Rejang Lebong Regency not to panic and remain vigilant about the spread of this disease. If you find livestock, both cows and goats, that are infected with PMK, they should be reported to the agency so that action can be taken.