Java, excluding Surabaya, Expected Heavy Rainfall by Weekend”>Magetan Cattle Market Under Scrutiny After PMK Outbreak; Nationwide Response Initiated
Authorities in Magetan, East Java, have taken swift action to address a recent outbreak of Peste Maligna Contagiosa (PMK), a highly contagious cattle disease, at a local cattle market. The move comes as part of a broader national effort to contain the disease, which has claimed hundreds of lives and infected thousands of cattle across Java.
Local administration and veterinary services have collaborated to trace and isolate affected animals, implementing strict biosecurity measures to prevent further spread. The market has been temporarily closed, and all suspicious cases are being closely monitored.
"We’ve launched a joint operation with the local government to trace and investigate all possible contacts of the affected cattle," said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Disease Investigation Center. "We’re working tirelessly to contain the outbreak and prevent it from spreading further."
This stringent response follows recent PMK outbreaks in other parts of Java, including Gunungkidul (Yogyakarta) and Lumajang (East Java). In Gunungkidul alone, 457 cattle have been identified as suspects, with 42 confirmed dead. Meanwhile, 900 cattle in Lumajang have been infected, resulting in 70 fatalities.
The ministry has issued an urgent appeal to all regional administrations, urging them to close live animal markets for at least 14 days if even a single PMK case is detected. This measure aims to prevent the silent spread of the disease, which often goes undetected due to its symptomless or mild initial phases.
"Closing the market is a necessary precaution to contain the disease," the spokesperson said. "We must act swiftly and decisively to protect our livestock and farmers’ livelihoods."
In Gunungkidul, local authorities have reported numerous cattle deaths due to suspected PMK infection, with symptoms including mouth and foot illnesses. A similar situation was observed in odstGunungkidul, where over 500 cattle have been infected, leaving farmers grappling with significant losses.
As the nation grapples with this PMK crisis, experts are calling for enhanced biosecurity measures, better surveillance, and contingency plans to ensure the safety of Indonesia’s livestock sector. Farmers and local communities have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious symptoms to the nearest veterinary clinic or authority.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.