Task Force: Vaccination And Testing Are Important In Handling FMD

Illustration - Officers from the Food and Agriculture Security Service (DKPP) of Surabaya City inject the second dose of cow mouth and nail disease (PMK) vaccine/ANTARA PHOTO/Educate Suhartono/foc.

JAKARTA - Government Spokesperson for Handling Mouth and Nail Diseases (PMK) Wiku Adisasmito said vaccination and testing of livestock is important in overcoming cases of FMD in the country.

For the PMK case in Central Java, Wiku said the vaccination rate for livestock in this area was only 3.74 percent of the target of 74,784 vaccine injections, even though Central Java was in the yellow zone.

"The low vaccination rate is also due to lack of equipment. Please pay attention to accelerating vaccinations followed by the number of available vaccines," Wiku said in a written statement quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, July 28.

Wiku also appealed that the calculation of vaccination data collection was carried out based on the number of livestock that had been vaccinated according to the type. This is because calculations based on the number of vaccines that have been carried out previously are considered inaccurate.

He explained that the spread of PMK has a great potential to occur in the animal market so it needs to be closed.

If the animal market is reopened, according to Wiku, it is necessary to ensure that the application of biosecurity has been implemented in the animal market and for people who bring their livestock and ensure that the animals entering the market are in healthy condition.

Regarding testing, Prof. Wiku said that Central Java's current testing capability is still quite low. This is because the capabilities of the laboratory at the Wates Veterinary Center are still limited and the number of samples sent is also limited.

Therefore, the central government will supply the necessary needs and assign other laboratories in Central Java and Yogjakarta that can support more massive testing, such as veterinary universities and other facilities at the Ministry of Health.

"Testing must be done quickly so that the spread does not spread further. Don't hesitate to do testing because we know not only from clinical symptoms but also through testing," explained Wiku.

In addition, Wiku appealed to the Task Force in each region to be able to provide direct and straightforward information to farmers so as not to panic and panic selling occurs.

Looking at the incident in East Java, where during a period of 1-2 months as many as 10-15 percent of livestock died or were conditionally slaughtered. This is caused by panic selling.

Therefore, biosecurity is very necessary so that people entering and leaving the farm are ensured that they are free from the FMD virus. Disinfection is also necessary because livestock has the potential to be a virus spreader.

Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibnas are asked to look after the farmers and ensure that no one tries to take personal advantage in the current situation. For example, buying cheap farm animals then cured and resold at high prices.

"Don't tolerate it. Huge losses have occurred in East Java. Don't let it happen in West Java and Central Java because here are the largest livestock centers on the island of Java," said Wiku.