Dr. Agung Suganda, Director General of Livestock and Animal Health, stated that the Ministry of Agriculture is working to eradicate the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which has recently re-emerged. The outbreak has affected livestock in recent months.
He mentioned that over 49,000 vaccinations have been conducted in 16 provinces since the end of last year.
“A total of 13,956 sick livestock have also received special treatment from veterinarians,” said Dr. Suganda during a national seminar titled “Roadmap and Strategy Towards FMD-Free Indonesia,” Friday (Jan. 16) at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKH UGM).
He explained that the Ministry of Agriculture has allocated a budget of IDR 104 billion to support the implementation of a four-million-dose vaccination program in FMD eradication zones.
“We seek support from fellow veterinarians from all institutions. We have established communication channels because eradicating FMD will be very difficult to achieve without cooperation,” stated the director general.
On this occasion, Dr. Suganda presented data on FMD cases and management in Indonesia throughout 2024. FMD cases peaked between April and August, ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebrations.
From Dec. 28, 2024, to Jan. 15, 2025, more than 25,000 livestock were recorded as infected with FMD, spread across 2,736 villages. According to him, these figures indicate that FMD has become a threat requiring serious attention.
UGM Professor of Veterinary Microbiology, Agnesia Endang Tri Hastuti Wahyuni, stated that FMD is a highly contagious transboundary disease affecting animals, capable of spreading quickly and unpredictably nationally and internationally.
Infected livestock are characterized by lesions in the mouth and on the feet, decreased milk production, body weight, and production issues.
“Although the mortality rate is not high, FMD causes trade losses,” said Professor Wahyuni.
Meanwhile, Professor Agung Budiyanto, a lecturer in the Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics at FKH UGM, emphasized that universities, especially Faculties of Veterinary Medicine, must contribute to handling FMD.
Universities can serve as task forces, clinical and laboratory experts, and community service practitioners guiding the community. In addition, universities also provide support through communication, information, and education in the short, medium, and long term.
Short-term handling is done to reduce losses with effective management and accurate diagnoses.
“Steps that can be taken include determining treatment according to the condition of the livestock,” he explained.
After an accurate diagnosis, treatment involves administering vitamins, protein, dewormers, or hormonal therapy.
“Medium and long-term handling includes vaccination, treatment, and public education,” he concluded.
The seminar, organized by FKH UGM, also featured several other speakers, including Dr. Muhammad Munawaroh, Chair of the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PB PDHI), and veterinarian and entrepreneur Nanang Purus Subendro from PT Indo Prima Beef.
Additional speakers included veterinarians Bima Ade Rusandi from Kediri Regency and Retno Widyastuti, Head of the Animal Health Division of the Livestock and Animal Health Office of Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta.
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Donnie