Exposed To PMK, 117 Veterins Forced To Be CUT Into Pieces

Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Task Force for Handling Oral and Kuku Diseases (PMK) of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province has forcibly cut 117 cows and goats infected with PMK, in order to prevent transmission and spread of the virus that attacks the livestock.

"A total of 117 livestock were forcibly slaughtered, namely 111 cows and 6 goats because they were infected by the PMK," said Secretary of the Babel Islands Province PMK Handling Task Force Mikron Antariksa, quoted by Antara, Sunday, November 13.

He said as many as 117 livestock were infected by the PMK which were forcibly slaughtered in West Bangka 27, Central Bangka 25, Bangka 24, Pangkalpinang 24, Belitung 9, East Belitung 6 and South Bangka 2 livestock.

"Meating from the forcibly cut livestock is still safe for the public to consume, so farmers do not lose too much by forcibly cutting the livestock infected with this PMK," he said.

He stated that the case of PMK livestock dying before forced slaughter was carried out as many as 39 heads spread across Central Bangka 26, Bangka 9, South Bangka 2, Pangkalpinang 1 and East Belitung 1.

"Farmers prefer to cut their livestock that are infected with the PMK, because they are afraid that cows and goats will die from this virus," he said.

Head of Livestock and Health Division of the Babel Agriculture and Food Security Service (DPKP) Judnaidy ensures that meat and milk from livestock affected by PMK are safe for consumption.

"This cow meat is safe for the public to consume, because this PMK is not a zoonic disease or that can be transmitted to humans," he said.