The formation of the ASF task force was the result of a discussion during a cross-sector coordination meeting led by Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan in the company of Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin), Sahat M. Panggabean, in Jakarta, Wednesday.
Based on the evaluation, Hasan highlighted that the government had endeavored to handle the disease. However, efforts must be doubled since the trend of swine fever transmission has spread to several pig farming centers in Indonesia.
The meeting drew attention to the fact that thousands of pigs had died due to swine fever infection, or the figure reached at least three to five pigs per day throughout this year.
The spread of swine fever was found in pig farming centers, including in the provinces of Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.
"Currently, the disease is found in Papua, especially in Nabire and Timika. These cases will be resolved, just like we resolved swine fever cases in Bali as well," Hasan stated.
The minister emphasized that swine fever is not zoonotic or a disease transmitted from animals to humans. However, the government is concerned about the impact of the disease on pig farmers, especially related to pork supply, to meet the community's needs ahead of the 2025 Christmas and New Year.
Hasan stated that the African Swine Fever Task Force is targeted to be formed by the end of this year, with involvement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Barantin, and other ministries and technical institutions, including local governments.
"Yes, we will resolve this swine fever matter," the minister remarked.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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