Government calms fears over Anthrax ahead of Idul Adha

JAKARTA (JP): With the Idul Adha Islamic day of sacrifice around the corner the government assured the public that there was no need to worry over the spread of Anthrax disease from livestock.

The Ministry of Agriculture asserted on Wednesday that steps had been taken to prevent the disease from spreading.

The Ministry's Secretary General Nelson Hutabarat said the recent outbreak in Bogor was now under control with no new cases recorded.

"Therefore, people, especially Muslims who are going to celebrate Idul Adha next week, shouldn't be worried in sacrificing the animals," Nelson told a media conference here.

"As long as the animals have been examined by a veterinarian or an officer, and followed technical instructions they're safe," he added.

Idul Adha will fall on Monday. Muslims as part of the occasion usually sacrifice livestock such as goats, cows and bulls.

Nelson however warned people to cook meat until it is well done.

The Anthrax disease issue rose to the fore last month when at least 20 people were infected with the disease in an outbreak in Hambalang village, Bogor, West Java.

Anthrax, which is caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria is spread through direct skin contact, consumption of infected animals or anthrax-contaminated air.

Anthrax-contaminated meat can be identified by having blackened blood similar to tar. The spleen of an infected animal is also swollen. The meat has a bad odor and will spoil quickly.

According to Nelson the ministry has coordinated with the Ministry of Health, Indonesian Veterinarian Association, Farmers Institution and other related agencies to take necessary measures in preventing the spread of anthrax.

In Bogor, particularly, several posts have been established in infected areas to vaccinate the livestock.

"So far, there are some 1,500 of 4,000 targeted animals which have been vaccinated," Nelson said.

Vaccination is also due to take place in other towns such as Bekasi, Purwakarta and Karawang.

In Jakarta there will be careful monitoring of slaughterhouses especially in the antemortum period, the period before the animals are slaughtered, and the postmortem period.

The monitoring, Nelson said, already began on Monday and will continue till March 8.

Meanwhile, Ateng Sutisna from the Bogor branch of the Indonesian Goat and Sheep Farmers Association, asked the Ministry of Agriculture to help sell the livestock in the area.

"Ever since the anthrax issue spread last month, revenues of farmers in Bogor area dropped some 40 to 70 percent compared with last year," Ateng said on Wednesday, adding that there are about 30,000 farmers in Bogor.

It's good that now the Ministry are assuring people about the livestock's safety, he said.

"But we have only five days left to Idul Adha. If there is still much livestock remaining after that, we'll be asking the Ministry to help us sell it," Ateng said.(hdn)