293 Livestock In Tangerang Suspected Of Infecting FMD

Photo: Antara

TANGERANG - The Department of Agriculture and Food Security (DPKP) of Tangerang Regency, Banten said that the outbreak of mouth and nail disease (FMD) in livestock in the area is increasingly widespread, of which 293 tails are suspected to be infected.

"So in total as of yesterday, Wednesday (15 June) there were 293 livestock suspected of contracting FMD," said the Head of the Veterinary and Community Health and Veterinary Division at the local DPKP, Hustri Windayani, citing Antara, Friday, June 17.

He said the mouth and nail disease outbreak had spread to 13 sub-districts in Tangerang Regency, which previously reported only in six sub-districts.

"Currently, there are 13 sub-districts that are reported to have animals affected by FMD, such as Curug, Panongan, Kelapa Dua, Pegedangan, Legok, Cikupa, Solear, Cisoka, Pasar Kemis, Rajeg 6, East Sepatan, Sindang Jaya and Balaraja," he said.

According to him, the livestock found to be infected with FMD consisted of 224 cows, nine buffalo, 14 goats and 46 sheep.

"So, from the start, this case was found, it was fairly fast and the spread was high. Because in terms of location (farms) now there are more and more animals in one cage, so the potential for transmission will be faster," he explained.

Even so, said Hustri, of the hundreds of animals that have been infected, 80 animals have been declared cured of mouth and nail disease after being treated with antibiotics and vitamins.

"There are currently 80 who have recovered, and the healing process takes a maximum of 14 days from the initial indication of PMK," he said.

So far, his party can only continue to make efforts to supervise and give antibiotics to animals that are still indicated.

"There is no allocation for our vaccine yet, but maybe later there will be direct assistance from the central government," he said.

He added that if later the breeders found animals that had symptoms of FMD, it was hoped that they would immediately report them to the livestock officers or the local task force, so that they could be handled immediately.

"If possible, animal/livestock owners should immediately report to us if any of their animals have symptoms. So that they can be handled later," he said.