The head of Animal Disease Prevention and Eradication for Fisheries and Livestock Service in Temenggung, Nurul Hasanah, said the team found two cows had in the past suffered from fasciola hepatica infection while the other two were still recovering from the disease.
The team found the presence of heart worm disease after the sacrificial animals were slaughtered.
She informed that the presence of the disease was noticed in the liver of the cattle although the worms were no longer active (no longer alive).
"Based on our observations, three cows were suspected of suffering from the liver worm disease. However, after the sacrificial animals were dissected, four cows were found as either afflicted with the disease or on their way to recovery after having being infected by the disease," she added.
The officials then destroyed the liver of the animals as it was found infected.
Hasanah said since an infected liver could lead to diarrhea if consumed, it had to be destroyed.
She said the rest of the meat was considered suitable for consumption.
The Temanggung Livestock Service deployed 37 officials to monitor the slaughter of sacrificial animals in 20 districts in Magelang.
She underlined that the slaughter of sacrificial animals is monitored to protect the public against various types of animal diseases that could affect people as a result of meat consumption.
"We must not allow consumption of meat from any unfit sacrificial animals which may carry a variety of diseases such as fasciolosis," she cautioned.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
