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| UMM FMD Task Force Team Teaches Cattle Breeders to Overcome PMK in Tumpang District. (Photo: Wildan PR UMM) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) is moving swiftly in helping cattle breeders deal with the mouth and nail disease (PMK) virus. One of his efforts was to send a PMK task force team to several areas, one of which was to Jeru Village, Tumpang District, on Monday (11/7). Dozens of Jeru residents who work as cattle breeders followed the counseling to the end and consulted.
PMK UMM Task Force Team Ali Mahmud, S.Pt. M.Pt. asked the farmers not to panic. He explained that this epidemic did not only attack Malang but all regions in Indonesia. "I also have relatives and relatives whose cows were sick and eventually died. This moment is indeed difficult, but there are several steps that you can take to anticipate and treat livestock that is infected with FMD," he said.
As he is familiarly called, Ali said there are four steps that farmers can take—starting with self-detection. According to him, a cow has several characteristics exposed to the FMD virus, namely excessive salivation, dull eyes, poor pupils because they don't want to drink, and eventually dehydration. Breeders can also pay attention to the smell in the cage because cows affected by FMD have a distinctive odor.
Then the second step is to treat dehydration by feeding fluids. It can also be checked or "digelonggong," even by giving betadine or blue medicine in the mouth of a sick cow and treating the injured cow's hooves. According to him, caring for cows’ sick with FMD must be done painstakingly and routine.
"At least you have to clean the mouth of an injured cow or full of pus. You can use a mixture of natural ingredients such as betel leaf boiled water. You can also give the appropriate medicine if you have access to medicine. Then the next step is medical treatment and forming a small team to make it easier to treat sick cows,".
On the same occasion, Prof. Dr. drh. Lili Zalizar, M.S., also explained that FMD is one of the most virulent and contagious livestock diseases. But breeders need not worry because FMD can be cured. However, the treatment cannot be done only once.
Lili said that the FMD virus could not tolerate acid, so farmers could give vitamin C. The virus is also not alkaline, so it can spray salt water into the mouth and injure nails. "Fathers and mothers can use materials at home or easily available. But at least we already have supplies of disinfectants and vitamins," he added.
Lili also provides a way to make natural disinfectants. Namely by using betel leaf or cherry fruit leaves. Based on his observations, these two natural ingredients can be used well as natural disinfectants. "Later on, if there is a vaccination process, ladies and gentlemen, don't refuse. Vaccines will make our livestock stronger and have antibodies. We can also increase it by giving attention and affection to our livestock," added Lili.
As for Jeru Village, Ahmad Saiful Hadi thanked UMM for coming and providing counseling. So far, no one has provided a detailed explanation of the FMD virus in independent ways to handle it. "As far as I know, there is no counseling like this in the surrounding villages. Of course, this is very helpful for cattle breeders who are confused and ignorant about how to handle cattle infected with FMD," he added.
He hopes the cattle breeders in Jeru can take full advantage of this meeting. Asking questions that can later help them in overcoming the FMD virus. He did not want the residents to remain silent and ultimately still do not know what steps to take.
"Hopefully, this agenda will be the beginning of efforts to overcome the PMK virus in Tumpang, especially in Jeru Village. Maybe later, UMM can send a team of doctors or students to help breeders care for and maintain the cows' condition so they can be more prime and healthier. Once again, we thank the UMM PMK Task Force team for coming," he concluded. (cdr/wil)
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