FMD In Mataram, NTB Soared To 82 Cases, Most Exposed To Cattle

Illustration of anticipating the spread of mouth and nail disease (FMD) in cattle. (Between)

MATARAM - The Department of Agriculture recorded that the number of cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Mataram City increased to 82 cases per day. After previously on May 30, FMD in this area in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) amounted to 57 cases.

Head of Livestock at the Mataram City Agriculture Service, Dijan Riyatmoko, said 82 cases of FMD consisted of 82 cases in cattle and 1 case attacking goats.

"Of the 82 cases of FMD, 24 cattle have been declared cured and some have even been sold. So, 58 are still isolated for treatment, 1 goat and the rest are cows", he said in Mataram, Monday 30 May.

According to him, as many as 82 FMD cases found in Mataram City were spread over five sub-districts, namely Sandubaya, Cakranegara, Mataram, Selaparang, and Sekarbela sub-districts.

"Meanwhile, in Ampenan sub-district, until today no cases of FMD have been found", said Dijan.

According to him, although the number of FMD cases found in Mataram continues to increase, the City of Mataram has not yet entered the FMD virus red zone because the number of exposed livestock is still below 100 heads. "Our status is still in the yellow to the red zone", he said.

He said, to prevent the spread of the FMD virus to livestock owned by farmers in Mataram City, his party had made maximum prevention efforts.

"We have carried out strict supervision and monitoring so that the FMD virus does not spread. We are even overwhelmed", said Dijan.

Livestock exposed to the FMD virus isolated were given vitamins and medicines with very limited stocks. "For medicines, we get assistance from the NTB Provincial Office", he said.

On the other hand, Dijan is grateful that the breeders can be cooperative in protecting their livestock so they don't get infected with FMD. Even breeders are selective when releasing and putting their livestock into cages.

"Farmers now don't want to release their livestock in random places, as well as when they put their livestock into cages, they don't want to go into cages. The cages have been sprayed with disinfectant", he said.