West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil Asks Residents Not To Worry About PMK

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil inspects the PMK vaccination for cattle in Cilembu Village, Pamulihan, Sumedang Regency, Monday (20/6/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Humas West Java Regional Government)

SUMEDANG - West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil asked the public not to worry about Mouth and Nail Disease (FMD) in sacrificial animals ahead of Eid al-Adha 1443 Hijriah/2022 AD.

Ridwan Kamil or familiarly called Kang Emil ensures that the handling of FMD virus infections in West Java is carried out optimally, one of which is by accelerating vaccination.

"The people of West Java remain calm, the handling of animal FMD in West Java is being handled well before Eid next month, don't worry," said Kang Emil after reviewing the FMD vaccination for cattle in Cilembu Village, Pamulihan, Sumedang Regency, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, June 20.

Kang Emil explained that the implementation of PMK vaccination for livestock in West Java was carried out in three stages, namely the first, second, and booster injections.

"Just like the first, second and booster injection of COVID-19 vaccination," said Kang Emil.

For farm animals that have been checked are healthy and old enough, said Kang Emil, a certificate will be given which is attached to the neck of the animal. This indicates that the animal is healthy and ready for consumption.

"All healthy cows will be given a certificate that can be checked using a cellphone. So later on each healthy cow's ear can be scanned with a barcode, indicating it is ready for activities, especially for beef cattle," said Kang Emil.

The PMK vaccination target this week is targeting 2,000 cows in five cattle center areas in West Java, namely Bandung Regency, West Bandung Regency, Garut Regency, Kuningan Regency, and Sumedang Regency.

"The target for vaccination this week is 2,000 head of cattle throughout West Java in the top 5 cattle centers," said Kang Emil.

So far, 40 percent of livestock in West Java exposed to FMD have been declared cured. Kang Emil hopes that with a high recovery rate, the spread of the FMD virus can be controlled as soon as possible.

"40 percent of those exposed have recovered, with this improved recovery rate, it is hoped that we can control this PMK as soon as possible," he said.

Meanwhile, for dairy cows, the total in West Java currently amounts to 76 thousand heads. According to Kang Emil, FMD infection will affect 80 percent of the milk supply needed by the community.

"If one dairy cow is affected by PMK, its production can drop by up to 80 percent. So it will greatly affect the milk supply in West Java, which we need every day," he said.