Suppressing The Spread Of ASF, Central Papua Quarantine Welcomes Positive Desinction Carpet At Airports

Pet, Fish and Plant Quarantine Officers of Central Papua installed a disinfectant carpet at Mozes Kilangin Timika Airport, Mimika. (Between)

JAKARTA - Efforts by the Papua Center for Fish and Plant Quarantine (BBKHIT) to install disinfection carpets at airport and port arrival terminals were welcomed positively by the Center for Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine, Central Papua Province.

According to the Head of the Central Papua Quarantine Center, Ferdi, the disinfection or disinfectant carpet is useful for suppressing the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus which is likely carried by passengers via footwear, including carpets at Mozes Timika Airport.

"We installed a disinfectant carpet at Mozes Timika Airport, on Thursday (February 29, 2024) as a follow-up to the circular letter of the Acting Deputy for Animal Quarantine regarding awareness of the ASF incident and the Mimika Regent's decision Number 23 of 2024," he said in Timika, Friday, March 1, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to Ferdi, the Mimika Regent's decision Number 23 of 2024 concerning the emergency status of the ASF outbreak in Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province.

"The disinfectant carpet is placed at the departure gate and passenger arrival at Mozes Kilangin Timika Airport," he said.

He explained that passengers who enter or leave are required to pass through the carpet, so it is possible that the virus carried by footwear has been disinfected.

"We are working with the relevant agencies in examining the items under the passengers," he said.

He added that if there are luggage related to the base of the pig, it will be immediately detained for inspection.

"So we are working with the airport to check the luggage of the passengers, if they bring pork products, an inspection will be carried out," he concluded.