Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The East Java Provincial Government has temporarily shut down three livestock markets in Ponorogo, Tulungagung, and Kediri following a surge in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) cases among livestock.
“The closure of these markets was prompted by public requests, and local district heads have issued official decrees to support the decision,” said East Java Livestock Agency Head Indyah Aryani on Friday, January 10, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Indyah explained that the closures aim to curb the spread of FMD to other areas and prevent further infections among livestock.
According to data from Ponorogo’s Department of Agriculture, Food Security, and Fisheries, 157 cattle have been infected with FMD in the region. Tulungagung has reported 77 cases, while Kediri has recorded 447 infections.
To complement these efforts, the provincial livestock agency is preparing a vaccination campaign targeting at-risk animals. “Vaccines are being procured through regional and national budgets, and all necessary supplies are being arranged,” she stated.
East Java has also received 12,500 doses of emergency FMD vaccine from the central government, which will be distributed to areas with the highest infection rates. “These vaccines are being allocated to the most affected regions, and additional supplies are being sourced through local and national budgets,” Indyah noted.
Thousands of Cases Reported in Two Months
According to Kompas, East Java has recorded 6,072 FMD cases among livestock, with 282 animals reported dead, over the past two months. “FMD cases have been reported in 30 districts across the province,” Indyah confirmed on Wednesday, January 8.
Common symptoms among infected livestock include weakness, lameness, excessive salivation, and a decline in milk production in dairy cattle. “Affected animals often appear lethargic and spend more time lying down, which has significantly impacted dairy production,” she added.
To address the outbreak, the agency has ramped up vaccination and treatment efforts for infected animals. Awareness campaigns are also being conducted to educate farmers on proper handling and care for FMD-infected livestock. “We’ve deployed teams to disinfect livestock markets to prevent further spread of the disease,” Indyah said.
Biosecurity and Traffic Control Measures
The provincial government has implemented stringent biosecurity measures, including controlling the movement of livestock entering and exiting East Java. “We are conducting thorough inspections of all livestock traffic to prevent widespread transmission,” Indyah explained.
East Java is home to approximately 9.2 million livestock susceptible to FMD, including 3.4 million cattle, 5 million goats, 610,000 sheep, 10,000 buffalo, and 107,000 pigs. The outbreak has intensified in late 2024, with daily cases exceeding 250 on average.
Read also : 948 Livestock Infected with Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Yogyakarta
To combat the escalating crisis, the province estimates a total vaccine need of 7.2 million doses, covering 70-80% of vulnerable animals. While the Ministry of Agriculture has pledged 1.4 million vaccine doses for East Java, the provincial government has allocated funds for an additional 320,000 doses.
To address the shortfall, the province plans to tap into its emergency contingency funds and coordinate with local governments to secure the necessary vaccines. “We are committed to protecting our livestock and controlling this outbreak as efficiently as possible,” Indyah emphasized.
(Raidi/Agung)
