Malang (malangkota.go.id) – Cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) have again spread in East Java. FMD attacks animals with even hooves such as cows, goats and sheep. This disease is caused by a virus that causes sores on the mouth and feet of livestock. Animals infected with FMD show clinical signs such as excessive saliva production, sores and blisters around the mouth, tongue and gums, patchy skin, limping, decreased appetite, and even fever.
In response to this, the Malang City Food Security and Agriculture Service (Dispangtan) has carried out various mitigation efforts according to the symptoms of FMD that appear. Head of the Malang City Dispangtan Slamet Husnan Hariyadi said that currently FMD cases in Malang City are safe and under control. Of the number of cases that have emerged, they have now been handled and are back to health.
"Currently, there are zero. Last January there were 18 cases, thank God they have recovered because there is a treatment and care process," he explained when contacted via cellphone, Thursday (13/2/2025).
Slamet said that his party received a supply of vaccines from the Ministry of Agriculture and the East Java Provincial Animal Husbandry Service. Through vaccination, it is hoped that livestock will have immunity against the FMD virus. In January 2025, Dispangtan received an allocation of 200 doses of the FMD vaccine, while in February it received an additional 600 doses for the second vaccine and the boost.
"So for this month there is an allocation from the Ministry of Agriculture of 200 doses, and from the East Java Provincial Livestock Service 400 doses. We distribute it to all sub-districts that have livestock. Other mitigation steps besides vaccination are to supply free vitamins, deworming drugs, and disinfectants to all livestock farmers in Malang City," he explained.
In addition to intensifying vaccination and the mitigation steps mentioned above, the Malang City Agriculture Service also provides direct outreach to livestock breeders and also utilizes social media in communication, information, and education (KIE) to the community regarding FMD.
Furthermore, Kadispangtan said that the availability of meat and milk in Malang City is relatively safe. "We are also still receiving supplies from other areas. However, livestock entering and leaving must include an animal health certificate from the local office," he concluded. (ari/yn)
