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| Prof. Dr.drh. Lili Zalizar, M.S., lecturer Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry UMM. (Photo: Haqi PR UMM) |
Recently, cattle, Foot, and Mouth Disease (FMD) has again spread in Indonesia. This phenomenon makes Prof. Dr. drh. Lili Zalizar, M.S., to explain further. According to her, FMD is an acute disease and is highly contagious in cattle, buffalo, pigs, goats, sheep, and other even hoofed animals.
This disease causes blisters and erosions on the mucous membranes of the mouth so that the cow does not want to eat. As a result, the cow is malnourished, and there is a decrease in body weight and milk production. In addition, FMD can cause blisters and erosion of the tissue between the nails so that livestock are lazy to stand. In addition, FMD can also attack the mammary glands.
As she is familiarly called, Lily explained that several factors behind this FMDthat emerged and spread again in Indonesia. First is the lack of supervision in importing livestock from countries that are not yet free of FMD. In addition, the condition of the cages that are not clean and well maintained and the lack of supervision of cattle transportation between regions have also accelerated the spread of this disease.
Meanwhile, since 1990, Indonesia has been free from PMK. This disease re-emerges in 2022. The FMD can be transmitted to other livestock through direct contact between animals through droplets, saliva, leftover feed from sick livestock, and even through the air. Meanwhile, indirect transmission can be through clothing and vehicles of livestock employees and cage equipment.
"Sick animals are a source of transmission. But on the positive side, this virus cannot be transmitted to humans," she added.
She again explained that several ways could be done to prevent and cure FMD. It begins with providing vitamins to maintain the cow's immune system. Also, maintain sanitation on the farm. In addition, it is necessary to spray disinfectant in pen and isolate sick cows. Likewise, with vaccination, considering that FMD is a disease caused by a virus. Comprehensive and equitable vaccination efforts are one solution that can be carried out throughout Indonesia.
"Cows infected with FMD will feel pain when eating. Therefore, anti-inflammatory and painkillers can be given so that the cows can eat. In addition, the provision of antibacterial such as sulfadimidine can also be an option. Now, what is no less important is that sick cows must be isolated, so they don't spread to other livestock. Then extra care must be taken to recover quickly from FMD," she said.
The lecturer from Subang, West Java, hopes that the Indonesian government can immediately vaccinate healthy livestock before Eid al-Adha. Likewise, efforts to prohibit the transfer of live animals so that the spread of the virus can be suppressed and controlled.
She also appealed to the place where sacrificial cattle were sold to be tidier. The distance between livestock can be further kept to reduce the transmission rate. In addition, the supervision of animals in the health aspect.
"The local Animals service should indeed supervise these efforts. It is not only done improvised but must be carried out seriously so that this disease can go back from Indonesia. Hopefully, the Eid al-Adha vaccination can be completed so that the sacrificial animals are completely healthy before Eid al-Adha arrives," he concluded. (cdr/haq/wil)
Author: Syarifudin Raisul Haq | Editor: Hassanalwildan Ahmad Zain
