Government calms fears over Anthrax ahead of Idul Adha
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)