West Kalimantan Confirms 2 Cases Of Cattle Mouth And Nail Disease

The veterinary team investigated FMD in Mempawah. (ANTARA/Dedi)

KALBAR - West Kalimantan (Kalbar) confirmed the findings of two cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in livestock imported from outside the province. The cases were found in Mempawah Regency and Kubu Raya Regency.

"The suspected PMK case is based on the results of the investigation by the Animal Health Team of Mempawah Regency on May 7, 2022. Then a further investigation was carried out on May 9, 2022 with a combined team from the Veterinary Center, the Pontianak Class I Agricultural Quarantine Center, the Animal Health Team of the West Kalimantan Province Plantation and Livestock Service and the UPT. Animal Health Services, Veterinary Public Health and West Kalimantan Animal Clinics as well as the Mempawah Regency Animal Health Team," said the West Kalimantan Province Plantation and Livestock Service, Friday, May 13.

With the findings of the PMK suspect, his party held a coordination meeting with the relevant parties. Previously, he had also issued appeals and letters to local governments to be wary of PMK.

"We from the province have also followed up on the Circular of the Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Number 06005/PK.310/F/05/2022 dated May 6, 2022 Concerning Increasing Awareness of FMD by sending a letter to the related office in the district animal health sector, " he explained.

He added that at this time his party had also prepared a Governor's Circular and formed a Task Force Team which was signed by the Governor.

"Then form a team of quick response units for controlling PMK in West Kalimantan, conducting communication, information and education (KIE) on controlling PMK and compiling information for controlling PMK," he said.

His party also carried out early detection and tracing of ruminants and pigs originating from East Java for the period April - May 2022. Then provided personal protective equipment and disinfectants to increase biosecurity.

"We also provide guidance to farmers to report if they find cases of illness or death in livestock in the items above with or without clinical signs that lead to FMD," he continued.

He explained that FMD is a viral infectious disease that is acute and highly contagious in even-toed or split-toed animals. This can cause huge economic losses due to decreased production, thus hampering trade in animals and their products.

"Vulnerable animals such as cows, buffaloes, sheep, deer and pigs. Clinical symptoms in animals are blisters in the mouth, tongue, gums, fever, runny nose, sores on the animal's nails and can limp, refuses to eat and water foamy saliva," he concluded.