Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has asked regional heads in the province to promptly form task forces for handling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in livestock to control the current outbreak.
"For district heads and mayors, please immediately issue a circular for the formation of this FMD task force and coordinate with the local military commander and police chief," she directed during a coordination meeting on the acceleration of FMD handling here on Monday.
The FMD Handling Task Force will be a joint team drawn from the ranks of the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and a number of related agencies, she informed.
The FMD task force must be formed promptly, especially in locations where livestock are collected for Qurbani (animal sacrifice). "Thus, more restrictions must be implemented in places where people can access Qurbani animals," she said.
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She also asked district heads and mayors to prepare a budget for the procurement of medicines, and supporting facilities for the control efforts and the operation of officers for FMD vaccination. Then, data on livestock status must be collected in sub-districts and villages as part of preparations for vaccinating livestock.
At least 950 veterinarians and 1,500 veterinary paramedics in East Java have been prepared for administering the vaccinations, Parawansa informed. The governor said that FMD must become a concern for all parties since the disease has quite a significant impact on the economy.
As of May 29, 2022, 17,934 FMD cases have been recorded in 25 districts and cities of East Java province. Of the total infected livestock, 15,521 heads of cattle have been reported to be sick, 2,289 have been cured, and 124 have died.
