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| The portrait of Prof. Dr. drh. Lili Zalizar, MS., the Animal Husbandry Lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang. (Photo: Istimewa) |
Recently, anthrax in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, has been in the spotlight. The anthrax case has claimed three lives, and 93 people have tested positive for anthrax after consuming dead beef. In fact, this is not the first time this outbreak has occurred in Yogyakarta.
Seeing this phenomenon, Prof. Dr. drh. Lili Zalizar, MS. said that anthrax disease is difficult to eradicate because it is transmitted through anthrax spores that can survive in the soil for years. "Because it lasts for decades in the soil, it is possible that livestock can be infected by eating grass contaminated with anthrax spores. Therefore, livestock that die suspected of anthrax must be buried with a minimum depth of two meters," said Lili.
Furthermore, the UMM animal husbandry lecturer explained that anthrax is a disease that can be transmitted to humans (zoonosis) caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Transmission occurs through anthrax spores which can enter through three pathways.
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"First, anthrax spores can enter the human body through the respiratory tract (inhalation) which can cause shortness of breath and lead to death. In addition, anthrax spores can enter through wounds on the skin which can cause ulcers or swelling at the infected site. Third, anthrax spores enter the digestive tract from animal meat that is not cooked properly or at high temperatures," Lili explained.
Lili also added that clinical symptoms in animals infected with anthrax are convulsions and sudden falls. There is also blood discharge from the mouth, nose, anus, and vagina in female cattle.
"Farmers should immediately report to the livestock service office or animal orderlies if their animals show these symptoms. Farmers are also strictly prohibited from slaughtering animals suspected of having anthrax because the blood that comes out during slaughter contains anthrax bacteria. In addition, anthrax endemic areas should be vaccinated regularly," said Lili.
The lecturer from Subang, West Java, also shared some tips for people who want to consume meat to stay safe. It is necessary to ensure the beef whose animals are slaughtered in slaughterhouses. Meat must also be cooked at a high temperature so that the spores in the beef die.
"Meat should be cooked using presto or autoclave at 121 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. Then, it should be boiled again at 100 degrees Celsius for one to two hours," said Lili.
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Lastly, she emphasized that besides cattle, anthrax can also affect other animals, such as goats, sheep, buffaloes, and pigs. The spread of anthrax between animals usually occurs because livestock eats grass near where anthrax-infected animals are buried. (imh/zak/wil)
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