Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) - The Aceh Animal and Livestock Health Office stated that as of Thursday, 19,830 cattle and buffalo in the province have been infected with foot and mouth disease (FMD).

"The foot and mouth disease in Aceh has (infected) 19,830 cattle," the head of Aceh Animal Health and Livestock Office, Rahmandi, said in Banda Aceh on Thursday.

Rahmandi said that of the 19,830 infected cattle, 108 have died, 20 had to be slaughtered, and 7,675 made full recoveries from the clinical symptoms of the disease.

Most of the infected animals were in Aceh Tamiang District, with 8,463 infected cattle. 70 of them died, two were slaughtered, and 4,641 have recovered.

There were also infected cattle in other districts and cities, such as Langsa City with 1,645, East Aceh with 720, Bireuen with 1,628, Aceh Besar with 2,218, and North Aceh with 3,956.

There were 42 infected cattle in Pidie Jaya District, 241 in Lhokseumawe City, 27 in Pidie, 644 in West Aceh, 102 in Aceh Jaya, 11 in Sabang City, 36 in Banda Aceh City, six in Gayo Lues, and 91 in Aceh Barat Daya.

"On the other hand, cattle in Bener Meriah District, Central Aceh, Southeast Aceh, Nagan Raya, South Aceh, Subulussalam, Aceh Singkil, and Simeulue have not been (infected)," he said.

He stated that his office expedited various efforts to prevent the spread of the disease. Among the measures taken include establishing a post, dispatching task forces in each district and city, opening crisis centers, and conducting coordination meetings.

They also imposed restrictions on livestock distribution, working with the food task force and with other stakeholders. such as transportation to portmasters, as well as the closing of animal markets in areas where the virus is rampant.

In addition, the government was also distributing antipyretic drugs, analgesics, vitamins and others medications in stages. They have completed the first phase in aid allocation.

"We also constantly provide training to medical and paramedical animal health workers, inseminators and PKB, district and city autovet personnel, and breeders," he added.

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Translator: Rahmat Fajri, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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