This disease has affected the people's economy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is accelerating the handling of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus that is currently spreading in livestock in Indonesia ahead of the 1443 Hijriah Eid al-Adha in early June 2022.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto noted that the government will monitor developments pertaining to the spread of the FMD virus in sacrificial animals for Eid al-Adha.

"This is in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction. The handling of FMD is aimed at reaching the micro-level as well. The handling will be similar to COVID-19. This disease has affected the people's economy," Hartarto noted in an official statement received here, Thursday.

The government has made several efforts to handle the spread of the FMD virus, including by forming the FMD virus Handling Task Force to work at the sub-district and village level and forming crisis centers in collaboration with the Indonesian Police (Polri), Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI), and other related agencies.

In addition, the government has restricted livestock traffic; distributed vitamins, medicines, and disinfectants in the region; prepared for emergency vaccine with three million doses imported; and manufactured domestic vaccines by the Center for Veterinary Pharmacy of Agriculture Ministry.

Moreover, training on the handling of FMD was conducted for 17,050 animal health officers through the dissemination of information and public communication, as well as collaboration with the TNI, Polri, regional government, and related parties.

Hartarto had pressed for the procurement of medical test kits for livestock to strengthen diagnosis. Vaccination is also expected to be increased, given the large animal population, in order to prevent the disease from spreading to other animals.

Regarding medicine distribution permits, medicine distribution, and animal health certificates, the minister is optimistic that the Ministry of Agriculture and related ministries and institutions would expedite and simplify the process.

"I asked the agriculture minister to identify the breeders, who were affected by this disease. We would request for initial restructuring, especially in areas that were included in 163 districts and cities," he stated.

Hartarto emphasized the importance of micro handling as well as animal health certificates and supervision. To this end, he deemed it necessary to issue an instruction from the minister of home affairs to 18 provinces and 163 districts and cities to accelerate the handling of FMD.

The minister of agriculture, head of the National Food Agency, Director General of Regional Development, Corps of Community Development and Security Maintenance Agency of the National Police, and Chairman of the Fatwa Commission from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) support Minister Hartarto's directives and would immediately follow up on the program.

In addition, the local government apparatus, including the governor of West Java and the deputy governor of East Java, also agreed to work quickly to handle and control the FMD virus since the epidemic had a direct impact on the people's economy, especially for farmers and breeders.

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Translator: Agatha Olivia V, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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