West Java Tightens Entry Routes For Livestock To Anticipate The Spread Of FMD

Head of the Department of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) of West Java (Jabar) Iendra Sofyan

BANDUNG - Head of the West Java (Jabar) Province Industry and Trade Office (Disperindag) Iendra Sofyan said his party was working with the West Java Provincial Transportation Service to tighten the entry route for livestock, as an anticipation of the transmission of foot and mouth diseases.

"We are tightening the entry routes for livestock, including at the weighbridge and control points owned by the DKPP (Jabar Food and Livestock Security Service) to check meat or livestock in West Java," said Iendra Sofyan, in Bandung City, Friday, May 13.

According to him, his party some time ago had held a coordination meeting with the relevant agencies to anticipate cases of foot and mouth diseases (FMD) in livestock.

"We have had a coordination meeting. First, in the form of the Food Task Force, and the second with the Regional Economic Recovery Committee. Two nights ago it was chaired by the West Java Regional Secretary," said Iendra as quoted by Antara.

According to him, the West Java Provincial Government emphasizes efforts upstream related to efforts to prevent the transmission of foot and mouth disease in livestock, one of which is by tightening the entry route for livestock from outside to West Java.

"So the first one is from upstream. Now, this is the task of the West Java DKPP, led by Mr. Arifin (Head of West Java DKPP). And he has identified the sources," he said.

He said that until now there has not been found meat from livestock contaminated with mouth and nail diseases in the West Java market.

"Then the third one in the market itself there are no reports or findings that are currently being reported. The point is that we focus on upstream, before entering West Java," he said.

Meanwhile, the West Java Province Food and Livestock Security Service (DKPP) moved quickly following the emergence of foot and mouth diseases in livestock in a number of areas.

The Head of West Java DKPP M Arifin Soedjayana said that after the East Java Livestock Service reported the FMD case to the East Java Governor, his party immediately coordinated with the district/city to prevent and be aware of the findings of FMD cases and formed an FMD Rapid Response Unit Team.

"East Java reported on May 5, from this information, we immediately coordinated with the regions to increase awareness, and also formed an FMD Rapid Response Unit Team. There are reports from Garut that there are suspected FMD cases there," said Arifin.

According to Arifin, on May 7, West Java DKPP together with the Subang Veterinary Center team immediately took samples of suspected FMD in Garut. In addition to Garut, the next day samples were also taken at suspected locations in the Tasikmalaya Regency and Banjar City.

"A number of samples were confirmed to be 100 percent positive for FMD," he said.

Arifin detailed that the findings of positive FMD cases were in Leles, Garut, as many as 25 beef cattle, three dairy cows and five sheep.

Meanwhile, in Tasikmalaya, 18 samples of cows tested positive for FMD and 11 cows in Banjar City tested positive for 100 percent of FMD.