Ulemas council defuses fear of anthrax

JAKARTA (JP): Amid fears of disease and infected livestock, the Jakarta office of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) on Friday urged Muslims not to be afraid to slaughter cattle and goats for Monday's Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice.

Hamdan Rasyid, the council's secretary, said Muslim residents could consult the Jakarta Animal Husbandry Agency if they had any concerns about the health of the animals to be slaughtered.

"The animal husbandry agency has guaranteed that all certified livestock are safe to be consumed," he told reporters after meeting with the city administration at City Hall.

After an Anthrax outbreak was reported late in January in Bogor, West Java, many residents, especially those who plan to slaughter cattle and goats for Idul Adha, have become apprehensive.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium which can survive for 100 years in the ground and can only be destroyed through incineration. Livestock usually die about five days after being infected.

Edy Setiarto, head of the Jakarta Animal Husbandry Agency, asserted that all certified livestock on sale for Idul Adha were free from contagious diseases, including anthrax.

"As long as the butcher can display a certificate of health for the beast which was issued by our office, then you can be sure that it is safe to be consumed," Edy said.

He further claimed that his office had checked animals on sale in the different markets in the capital, and had yet to find any indications of anthrax.

Aside from those sold at slaughter houses and certified by the agency, there were, however, no guarantees concerning the health of the animals easily found on many street corners in the run-up to Idul Adha.

City-owned slaughter houses can be found in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta; Mampang, South Jakarta; Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta; and Pulogadung and Cakung in East Jakarta.

Edy also asked residents to help control the cattle and goats on sale in the capital, and report any suspicions they might have to the local animal husbandry agency office.

According to Edy, infected animals would display specific symptoms such as a high fever, respiratory problems, diarrhea and excessive shaking.

The Jakarta Animal Husbandry Agency had reported earlier that it has prepared 45,000 goats and 3,000 cattle to meet the city's demand on Idul Adha.

"We will organize and help slaughter cattle and goats for Idul Adha at the city's slaughter houses," said Edy. (04)