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| Examination of the health of the sacrificial animal from Mouth and Nail Diseases (FMD). (Photo: Haqi PR UMM) |
The sacrificial animal's health is crucial in Eid al-Adha's celebration. So, the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) gave a concrete step by sending a team from the Task Force (Satgas) for Oral and Nail Diseases (PMK) for livestock. One of the tasks of this team is to ensure that the animals to be slaughtered are healthy and not harmful to the people.
The head of the PMK UMM task force, Prof. Dr. drh. Lili Halizar, M.S., said that his party received several requests for supervision in implementing the sacrifice. It starts from the Sengkaling area to Lumajang Regency. As she is known, Lili has also prepared equipment, including medicines and vitamins, to be given to livestock and sacrificed animals.
"In addition to lecturers, several students will assist us in ensuring the health of the sacrificial animals to be slaughtered. That way, the community can be calmer and get better education regarding this PMK virus," he said.
The UMM Task Force will immediately go to other areas in Malang Regency and Lumajang. Lili, her nickname, said that on Monday (11/7), UMM White Campus would send a PMK team to Tumpang. Then proceed to Jabung, Pujon, to Lumajang in the following days to provide education, help with medicine and vitamins, and motivate farmers who are currently pessimistic.
Regarding the sacrificial process, Lili also reminded the committee at the slaughter site to be more careful and apply the proper system so that the FMD virus does not spread to other livestock in the area. "Don't let the place of slaughter become the main place for PMK transmission," he said.
Several things need to be done by the committee. Starting with the awareness that every officer can be a medium for transmitting the FMD virus through hands, clothes, and shoes. Even with the equipment used during the sacrificial process, such as knives and plastic. For these tools, Lili advised to wash them with soap and spray them with disinfectant. As for plastic, he recommends burning it or cleaning it thoroughly before throwing it in the trash.
"Imagine if the plastic used for the sacrifice was thrown away. When there is livestock that licks it, then, of course, it will be infected and continue to transmit it to other livestock. Even with the process of washing offal which is usually done in the river. This will pollute the environment and increase the risk of the virus infecting other livestock," added Lili.
The lecturer from Subang, West Java, gave an option of digging the soil and washing the refuse in it. When finished, the hole can be reburied and filled with lime. The FMD virus will die when exposed to acids or bases. Restrictions on people coming to the slaughter site must also be carried out, at least by providing a fence so that residents are not too close. The committees have to clean themselves and be sprayed with disinfectant so the FMD virus dies.
The lecturer from Subang, West Java, again explained the characteristics of livestock infected with FMD. The first thing that could be seen is the cattle's inability to stand upright. Then there is bleeding in the mouth, nose, and rectum. Even excessive salivation is a sign of infection in related animals.
"Even so, according to the circular letter of the minister of religion and the fatwa of Muhammadiyah, sacrificial animals infected with FMD may be slaughtered as long as it's still in the light stage and not worrying. At least he can still stand well and not collapse, and his nails look safe," he said.
Regarding how to cook the meat, Lili emphasized that people can boil meat at a minimum of 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. The FMD virus will die if heated at that temperature and period. Lili said that this FMD virus is not harmful to human health so far. "As long as the cooking method is correct, the meat consumed will be safe and can be eaten as usual," he concluded. (wil/cdr)
