We are closing (these places) for the good of the community, so as not to lose moneyPraya, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The Central Lombok district government has announced the temporary closure of all cattle markets to stem the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which has affected hundreds of cows in the area.
"We are closing (these places) for the good of the community, so as not to lose money," Central Lombok District Head Lalu Pathul Bahri said here on Monday.
In addition to closing cattle markets in Barebali village and Batunyale village, the district government has also restricted the inter-island movement of cows, including from Sumbawa, as a further measure to prevent the spread of the disease.
"Cows from Sumbawa Island are not allowed to (be sent here)," Bahri said.
As the measures have been taken for the people's greater good, the government expects everyone to support them, he added.
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Meanwhile, head of the Agriculture and Livestock Service Office of Central Lombok district, Lalu Taufikurahman, said that with animals confirmed positive for FMD in tests conducted by the Denpasar Bali laboratory, the regional government will limit the movement of cattle by closing all cattle markets.
The market closure will be effective from May 14 to June 4, 2022, he informed.
The regional government is working to prevent the spread of the disease by treating all affected cattle, spraying disinfectants for sterilization, and boosting the immunity of cattle.
"Of the hundreds of cows that were affected, none died. We urge the public not to panic," Taufikurahman said.
Hundreds of cattle in Central Lombok district tested positive for the foot-and-mouth disease, similar to the one recorded in East Java province.
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"The Central Lombok Agriculture and Livestock Office has received the results of the samples that have been sent to the Denpasar Lab. The results stated positive for FMD, which causes infections in the oral cavity," Taufikurahman informed in Praya.
The disease has so far spread in two sub-districts: Sixty-three heads of cattle were initially infected in Kelebuh village, Central Praya Sub-district. The number of affected livestock increased to 150 after the infection spread to Puyung and Barejulat villages in Jonggat Sub-district.
"The symptoms experienced are almost the same, so the cattle population is suspected of FMD," he said.
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Related news: Government acts promptly to prevent FMD outbreak in Central Java EDITED BY INE
Translator: Akhyar R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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