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The Ministry Of Agriculture Ensures That The PMK Outbreak Will Not Disrupt The Free Nutritional Meal Program
Tuesday, 14 Jan 2025
The Ministry of Agriculture has assured that the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) occurring in East Java will not disrupt the Free Nutritious Food Program (MBG). Imron Suandy, the Director of Animal Health at the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, stated that the government has implemented a vaccination program to control the FMD cases. He emphasized that the government is collaborating with livestock industry stakeholders, associations, and other relevant parties to manage the FMD outbreak.
"It is hoped that the situation will be brought under control, leading to a decrease in FMD cases, thereby ensuring the MBG program remains unaffected," Imron remarked to Bisnis, as quoted on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Nationally, from December 28, 2024, to January 8, 2025, there were reports of 13,287 livestock affected by FMD. This data is based on daily reports from the Task Force for Preparedness, Control, and Mitigation of Foot and Mouth Disease and Other Strategic Animal Infectious Diseases. The Ministry acknowledged that the highest number of FMD cases has indeed been reported in East Java, with a total of 496 cases in the past month. Nevertheless, Imron clarified that the mortality rate from FMD is very low, at less than 2%. "FMD is not a contagious disease harmful to humans; infected livestock are safe for consumption, provided that their handling does not contaminate the environment and poses a risk of transmission to nearby healthy animals," he explained.
In addition to vaccination efforts, Imron noted that FMD control is being executed through the establishment of a Task Force to ensure better coordination from the central to local levels, as well as prompt investigation and response to suspected FMD cases. Vaccination of healthy animals in the vicinity of reported cases is also part of the strategy.
