Jember Regency Government Closes Animal Market Anticipating The Widespread Outbreak Of FMD

The closure of the animal market in Kencong District, Jember Regency (ANTARA/HO-Disperindag Jember)

JEMBER - The government of Jember Regency, East Java temporarily closed all animal markets to anticipate the increasing spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the local area.

"The animal market is temporarily closed based on the Decree of the Regent of Jember No. 188.45/345/1.12/2022 regarding the Temporary Closure of the Animal Market in Jember during the FMD Outbreak", said the Head of the Jember Industry and Trade Agency, Bambang Saputro, as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 26.

According to him, the temporary closure of the animal market managed by the Disperindag Jember has been carried out since the Regent's Decree was issued on July 22, 2022, while the animal market managed by other parties is followed up by the District Leaders Meeting (Muspika) and the village.

"There are seven animal markets managed by the Jember Industry and Trade Department, namely the animal markets in Kalisat, Menampu, Mayang, Kencong, Bangsalsari, Rambi Puji, and Jenggawah. All of them are closed", he said.

He explained that the closure of the animal market was effective from the decision of the Regent until a later date or a recommendation was issued by the Veterinary Authority of Jember Regency stating that the animal market could be reopened.

"We still don't know how long the animal market will be closed, but if there is a plan to reopen it will be socialized to animal traders", he said.

In the decree of the Regent of Jember regarding the closure of the animal market, it was stated that the FMD case had spread to all sub-districts or 31 sub-districts in Jember Regency.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission B of the Jember Regional House of Representatives, Nyoman Aribowo, said that as many as 12,000 heads of cattle had been exposed to foot and mouth disease (FMD), so closing the animal market was the right solution so that the disease outbreak did not spread further.

"Through the closure of the animal market, it is one of the right steps to avoid the rapid spread and vaccination of healthy livestock must also be intensified", he said.

He explained that currently the most affected by FMD are dairy cows because it spreads so fast because there are more interactions with humans, so they are easily infected with FMD.