Imogiri Livestock Market Temporarily Closed Due to Increasing FMD Spread

KBRN, Bantul: The Bantul Regency Administration closed the Imogiri livestock market yesterday to prevent the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

The elected Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih announced that the Imogiri livestock market in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta, would be closed for 14 days. He said this step was in accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture's direction.

"The escalation is widespread not only in Bantul but throughout Indonesia. Following the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture, the livestock market will be closed from January 14 to 27," he said on Tuesday (Jan 14), as quoted by rri.co.id.

"The sick cattle will be treated, while the healthy will be vaccinated. At the same time, cattle pens in the Bantul area are also being disinfected. The number of cattle that have died is 32, and those that are positive for FMD are 322," Abdul Halim said.

Meanwhile, Bantul Regency Food Security and Agriculture Service (DKPP) Head Joko Waluyo mentioned that two cows were forcibly slaughtered due to positive FMD. Even so, he ensured that the meat from the sick cows was still safe for consumption.

"FMD is not a zoonosis, so it cannot be transmitted to humans. The meat is safe to eat if cooked thoroughly," said Joko.

The Bantul Regency Administration will use the unexpected cost budget (BTT) to address the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. The funds will be used to vaccinate and treat cattle in the area.

"This is already a disaster even though it is small in scale. And the BTT can be used to take emergency measures. Indeed, our budget system allows for that," Regent Abdul Halim said Tuesday (Jan 14), as quoted by rri.co.id.

Halim added that his party had closed the animal market for 14 days. He hopes that this will suppress the spread of the FMD outbreak.

"Let the cows be in their respective stalls for the time being. This is to minimize the risk of spreading the disease to healthy cows," he said.

The Bantul Administration did not announce FMD as an Extraordinary Event (KLB). However, the administration has instructed its officials to clean and disinfect cattle barns in the area. ***