The government will massively distribute testing kits to regions
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is stepping up foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) testing in farm animals to stem the spread of the disease, the FMD Handling Task Force stated.

"Apart from implementing biosecurity measures, the government, through the FMD Handling Task Force, continues to stem the spread of FMD in Indonesia; first, with testing," coordinator of the expert team of the FMD task force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, noted at an online press conference on the development of FMD handling, on Tuesday.

He said that testing of FMD-susceptible animals is conducted by using the RT-PCR method or the NSP (Non-Structured Protein) ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test.

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"The government will massively distribute testing kits to regions," he remarked.

Adisasmito also noted that the government is currently rolling out a nationwide FMD vaccination program that is prioritized for healthy animals located in FMD red zone regions, with a large population of farm animals and a high number of FMD cases.

"Vaccinations are also conducted in regions in Indonesia that are categorized as green zones," he added.

According to Adisasmito, the government also provides medicines and vitamins to treat clinical symptoms and boost the immunity and stamina of farm animals to prevent FMD transmission.

The professor said the other effort is conditionally slaughtering FMD-infected animals.

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He explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 37 of 2022 on July 15, 2022, which instructs regional heads at the provincial, district, and city levels, especially areas with the FMD red zone status, to handle outbreaks in their respective areas, by following the decisions, rules, and circulars from the central government.

Adisasmito noted that the task force also appealed to authorities in regions with the FMD green zone status, or regions that are free from FMD, to remain vigilant and maintain the status by implementing health protocols and monitoring livestock mobility in accordance with applicable regulations.

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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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