Cows, goats must be registered to prevent spread of anthrax

TANGERANG (JP): In an effort to prevent the spread of anthrax, the Tangerang Agriculture and Husbandry office will oblige cattle traders to register their cows and goats on sale for the Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice with the office, an official said on Friday.

The office deputy chief, Epen Efendie, said the requirement was issued following an outbreak of anthrax in the neighboring regency of Bogor.

"We have drafted a circular for the purpose and will distribute copies to markets across the town," Epen told reporters.

He suggested that cattle trading here needed a close watch since there was a possibility that livestock was infected with the disease on the way to Tangerang.

Idul Adha will fall on March 5.

The number of goats to be slaughtered during the Islamic holiday is estimated to reach between 5,000 and 6,000, in addition to hundreds of cows, according to Epen.

At least 20 people have been infected with the disease following the anthrax outbreak in Hambalang village, Citeureup district, Bogor, last month. Two died.

The disease is caused by Bacillus anthracis bacterium. It is spread through direct skin contact, consumption of infected animals or anthrax-contaminated air.

Meanwhile, the Tangerang municipal animal health office chief Carum Supandi said Minister of Health and Social Affairs Achmad Sujudi had ordered husbandry offices across West Java to stay alert to the possible spread of the disease.

Carum said the mayoralty had set up a team to monitor slaughterhouses, including those which operate illegally.

He said the team would also monitor fresh and frozen meat sold in traditional markets and supermarkets.

The team has ordered the destruction of all anthrax- contaminated meat found during its market inspection.

So far, the anthrax furor has had little influence on the demand for meat in the mayoralty's two official slaughterhouses in Pasar Baru and Gondrong districts, which reaches 100 animals a day each, Carum said.

The number excludes animals slaughtered in a private slaughter house belonging to PT Sumber Anugerah Abadi and other slaughterhouses, he said.

Meanwhile, the Bogor's Center for Husbandry Research is holding a two-week husbandry technology exhibition, starting on Feb. 19.

The exhibition's organizing committee chairman, Ismeth Inounu, said the event was aimed at informing people of how to choose healthy animals for Idul Adha.

Ismeth denied that the exhibition was held in response to the anthrax furor, saying it had been planned long before the outbreak of the disease.

An association of cattle breeders and several cattle farmers here are taking part in the event.

Ismeth said only a few farmers had taken their cattle to the exhibition for an examination. "The farmers may be afraid that their animals will be found to be infected with the disease," he said. (41/21/jun)