A total of 40 thousand doses of FMD vaccine have been distributed to the NTB area, which is given in stagesPraya, West Nusa Tenggarahere (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed that the central task force team has readied 1.4 million vaccine doses to prevent transmission of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in livestock in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
"A total of 40 thousand doses of FMD vaccine have been distributed to the NTB area, which is given in stages," Head of BNPB, Lieutenant General Suharyanto, stated after conducting livestock vaccinations in Sukarara Village, Jonggat Sub-District, here, Wednesday.
He noted that currently, imports for FMD vaccines were still awaited for two months while waiting for domestic livestock vaccines in collaboration with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to be produced soon.
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Through vaccination, Suharyanto expressed hope that the spread of FMD would be controlled and immunity of livestock, such as cattle, buffalo, goats, and pigs, would be increased.
"Approximately in September, the domestic livestock vaccine doses will be ready, with 3.5 million doses per month," he remarked.
He noted that the central FMD task force had reviewed FMD handling in community farms, especially in NTB, since the province was in the top five for cases of FMD transmission.
"NTB is also the main center of animal meat production," he added.
The agency head noted that the government had readied several steps to prevent FMD transmission, such as through biosecurity to ensure livestock are free from the disease since FMD could be transmitted through people and goods.
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The second step is by vaccinating healthy livestock to boost immunity. The third measure is to inject vitamins and antibiotics in livestock affected by FMD, he stated.
"The fourth is slaughtering the infected livestock," he added.
Head of the Central Lombok Agriculture and Livestock Service, Lalu Taufikurahman, stated that the number of FMD cases in the local area to date had reached 26 thousand. Meanwhile, 23 thousand cattle, including cows, buffaloes, and goats, had recovered.
"The cure rate for FMD cases in Central Lombok is 89 percent," he stated.
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Translator: Akhyar Rosidi, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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