Ministry of Agriculture Controls FMD in East Lampung through Vaccination and Biosecurity
Vaccination against FMD is a strategic and crucial step to suppress the spread of the disease. The government guarantees the availability of safe, high-quality, and timely vaccines as part of the national FMD control roadmap.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agriculture is controlling Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in East Lampung through strengthened vaccination and biosecurity to suppress the disease’s spread and protect livestock populations from transmission risks.
Director of Animal Health at the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Hendra Wibawa, stated that FMD control is being reinforced through accelerated, well-planned, and distributed vaccination.
“FMD vaccination is a strategic and crucial step to suppress the disease’s spread. The government guarantees the availability of safe, high-quality, and timely vaccines as part of the national FMD control roadmap,” said Hendra in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He assured that the handling of FMD in Tegal Yoso Village, Purbolinggo Subdistrict, East Lampung, is under control. Swift interventions implemented from the outset have proven effective in suppressing the spread and accelerating the recovery of farmers’ livestock.
From field investigations, he said, 135 animals were affected, with 25 deaths. Most deaths occurred in calves whose mothers showed FMD symptoms, while one case involved an adult cow suspected of FMD, and two other deaths were confirmed not due to FMD.
The majority of cases were found in unvaccinated livestock, despite prior communication, information, and education provided to farmers.
Nevertheless, the government’s swift actions have yielded tangible results. Handling measures including animal health services, disinfectant spraying, provision of medicine and vitamins, and strengthened education have impacted livestock recovery.
“By mid-March 2026, the government has distributed 169,000 doses of vaccine to Lampung Province, consisting of 100,000 doses in January-February and an additional 69,000 doses in mid-March,” he said.
Specifically for East Lampung Regency, Hendra added, 6,500 doses of vaccine have been allocated, with an injection realisation of 5,124 doses or about 78 percent. The government will also add an allocation of 6,000 doses to accelerate livestock protection in the area.
Meanwhile, Head of the Lampung Veterinary Office, Suryantana, added that they continue to strengthen epidemiological investigations and technical support.
The Lampung Veterinary Office has conducted case tracing, interviews with officers and farmers, and sampling from sick animals and carcasses.
“We are also strengthening surveillance and laboratory confirmation to ensure diagnosis and accelerate control,” said Suryantana.
He also urged farmers to remain calm and disciplined in implementing control measures in pens, immediately report cases, isolate sick livestock, and then restrict livestock movement.
“Disciplined implementation of biosecurity is the main key,” he emphasised.
Head of the Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Division of the Lampung Provincial Livestock Service, Anwar Bahri, said that they continue to encourage accelerated, coordinated control.
Anwar said that the provincial team together with the regency continues to provide field assistance, including strengthening biosecurity, accelerating disinfection, and education for farmers.
“We are also pushing for accelerated vaccination as a key step to increase livestock immunity and prevent wider spread,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Acting Head of the East Lampung Livestock and Fisheries Service, Dwi Giyarti, conveyed that handling has been carried out since the initial report was received.
In addition, they have conducted socialisation to farmers, disinfectant spraying, and supportive treatment in the form of vitamins and therapy according to technical guidelines.
“Medical and paramedical teams have also been deployed to strengthen handling at the location,” she said.