IPB to watch anthrax during Idul Adha

BOGOR: Some 600 students and lecturers of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) will be monitoring the possibility of a repeat anthrax outbreak during the upcoming Islamic holiday of Idul Adha.

Idul Adha, which falls on Feb. 12., calls for the sacrificial slaughter of livestock, such as cows, goats or sheep, with the animal's meat distributed to the needy.

Concerns have been mounting over the slaughter of livestock, especially in Bogor, which recently had several cases of anthrax.

The dean of IPB's Faculty of Veterinary Health, Fahrijan H. Pasaribu, said that the heightened concerns were not necessary as strict monitoring was already in place.

"The deployment of our students and lecturers is being done in cooperation with the regional administrations of Bekasi, Bogor, Depok, Jakarta and Tangerang," Fahrijan told the official Antara news agency on Sunday through the IPB spokesman, Agus Lelana.

"Students and lecturers will be monitoring the slaughter before and during the Idul Adha holiday," said Agus. -- JP