Prevent Babi Flu, Kupang Regency Government Alerts Citizens To Keep Kandang Clean

The smell of pigs belonging to residents in Central Kupang District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, is suspected of being exposed to the Babi flu virus. (ANTARA/Benny Lenggg)

The KUPANG Service of Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, reminded farmers to keep the Babi cage clean to prevent transmission of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus or African swine flu that had been found in the area. "Prevention of transmission of the ASF virus can only be done by maintaining the cleanliness of the cage so that the pigs belonging to the breeders remain healthy," said Head of the Animal Health Division of the Kesmavet Processing and Marketing Dr. Yosep A Paulus when contacted by Antara in Kupang, Sunday, January 22. Sporadic cases of pig deaths have occurred in six sub-districts in Kupang Regency since one case of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus or African swine fever was found in the area. So far, 75 cases of Babi deaths in Kupang Regency have been suspected of being infected with the swine flu virus. According to him, the most cases of pig deaths occurred in the Central Kupang sub-district, which penetrated dozens of pigs that died, allegedly due to exposure to the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus or African swine fever. He said the breeders should provide animal feed for pigs that are highly nutritional in order to strengthen the endurance of the pigs from disease attacks. "If the breeders need the help of animal health workers, they should immediately contact the Livestock Service or the animal health post in Kupang Regency," said Yosep A Paulus. He also hopes that farmers will spray disinfectant liquid regularly for all existing Babi cages to clean up disease viruses that have the potential for disease transmission in pigs. "We convey that there is no cure for ASF disease, so what must be done is through prevention efforts by routinely cleaning the cage and providing quality feed," said Yosep A Paulus. He also hopes that if there are pigs that die so that they are buried immediately and are not allowed to throw them in rivers or trash bins because they can transmit disease.