Dozens Of Cows In Batu City Suspected Of Infecting FMD

Cows belonging to residents of Batu City, East Java, whose health was checked by the Department of Agriculture and Food Security of Batu City. (ANTARA/HO-Department of Agriculture and Food Security in Batu City)

BATU CITY - The Department of Agriculture and Food Security of Batu City stated that at least dozens of cows belonging to residents of Batu City, East Java were suspected of contracting Mouth and Nail Disease (FMD).

Head of the Agriculture and Food Security Agency of Batu City, Sugeng Pramono in Batu City, Wednesday, May 11, said that a number of samples from as many as 33 cows suspected of contracting FMD had been sent to the Wates Veterinary Center, Yogyakarta for investigation.

"The results will be known tomorrow, so it's still not certain whether it's positive or not," said Sugeng as quoted by Antara.

Sugeng explained that the Department of Agriculture and Food Security of Batu City received an initial report from the farmers regarding the suspicion that their livestock had contracted FMD on May 6, 2022. Then, on May 7, officers conducted a check in Sumbergondo Village, Bumiaji District.

Then, he continued, on May 9, 2022, samples from cows suspected of contracting FMD were brought to the Wates Veterinary Center, Yogyakarta. Currently, his party is still waiting for the results of the research from the Wates Veterinary Center, Yogyakarta.

"A total of about 3-6 cows were sampled from 33 cows suspected of PMK," he said.

He added that several steps had been taken to anticipate the spread of the PMK outbreak. Among them are spraying disinfectants, giving vitamins, giving antibiotic injections and conducting outreach to village governments and farmers. In addition, a Task Force was formed consisting of the Agriculture and Food Security Service, Cooperatives and Micro Business Office, Center for Animal Husbandry Training, Police, TNI and as well as Village Unit Cooperatives (KUD) in the Batu City area.

"Currently we continue to carry out comprehensive handling with many parties. Confectionery includes forming a task force to conducting socialization to village governments and farmers," he said.

In the Batu City area, there were 12,579 dairy cows and 2,579 beef cattle recorded. FMD in livestock has a number of characteristics including high fever, sores on the mouth and tongue of livestock and excessive foamy mucus.

Then, the appetite of livestock decreases, injuries to the legs, the animal's nails fall off, difficulty standing, shaking and decreased milk production. If the community finds these symptoms in their livestock, they are asked to immediately contact the relevant agency.