Government Acts Swiftly to Contain Outbreak of Mouth and Foot Disease in Magetan
In a concerted effort to address the outbreak of Mouth and Foot Disease (MFD) in Desa Kedungguwo, Kabupaten Magetan, Jawa Timur, the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health (Ditjen PKH) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has joined forces with the local government.
Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Kementan Agung Suganda revealed that the field team has been deployed to contain the outbreak. "The first step taken was intense coordination with local village apparatus and nearby livestock farmers to gather the latest information on the MFD situation," he said in Jakarta on Saturday.
Additionally, the local government has issued an early warning alert to the sub-district head and village/urban village heads of Kedungguwo to boost awareness and prevent the spread of MFD in the area.
Treatment for suspected infected livestock has also been initiated through the call center (URC) of the Magetan Livestock and Fisheries Service.
Emphasizing the importance of animal health as a foundation for food security, Suganda underlined that through vaccination, treatment, and biosecurity enhancements, the productivity of livestock can be safeguarded against disease threats.
Meanwhile, Director of Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products (PPHNak) Ditjen PKH Kementan Makmun highlighted the significance of controlling MFD to maintain the stability of the livestock sub-sector. He stressed the need for pet owners to be more aware of the importance of vaccination to prevent economic and food losses.
On the same day, Ditjen PKH Kementan also held a socialization event regarding MFD in Desa Kedungguwo, attended by the Chairman of the Magetan DPRD Suratno; Vice Chairman of the Magetan DPRD Suyanto; and Head of the Magetan Livestock and Fisheries Service Nur Haryani.
During the event, villagers were advised not to panic and were encouraged to take preventive measures and seek treatment. Kementan also provided medical assistance, including antibiotics, multivitamins, disinfectants, and injection equipment to treat sick animals.
"Our hope is that pet owners do not panic and do not sell sick cattle to prevent the spread of the disease," Makmun stated.
Kementan urged provincial and district/city livestock agencies to collaborate in monitoring MFD cases, conduct cross-agency coordination, and report data through the iSIKHNAS system. The ministry emphasized that socialization efforts with pet owners, particularly those promoting vaccination and biosecurity, would be a key focus.
Through the cooperation of central, regional, and pet owner associations, Kementan is optimistic about its ability to control MFD in Indonesia.
Kepala Dinas Peternakan dan Perikanan Magetan Nur Haryani assured that her team consistently reports and coordinates with relevant parties regarding every disease outbreak incident among livestock in the area. "We always report every infectious disease case and respond promptly through coordination with the sub-district head and village head," she concluded.
