Kupang – There is no specific budget to control surra, a disease that has killed hundreds of horses and water buffaloes in Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). The currently available budget only covers treatment for severely ill animals. To prevent healthy animals from contracting the disease, the regional government has issued a ban on animal movement between villages, subdistricts, and districts.

More than 300 horses and water buffaloes in Sumba Timur and Sumba Barat Daya districts were killed by surra between August 2010 and May 2011. It is also suspected that many people did not report the death of their animals. Available data does not include any case in Sumba Barat and Sumba Tengah.

Head of NTT Livestock Service Office, Semuel Rebo, in Kupang, Saturday (18/6), said the regional budget allocation for livestock services for 2009 was Rp 20 billion, in 2010 it was increased to Rp 50 billion, and for 2011 it is now Rp 103 billion. The budget is mainly prioritized for cattle breeding and routine expenses in the livestock service office.

“There is not specific budget prepared to treat and prevent disease in cattle,” said Rebo.
Secretary of the Livestock Service Office of Sumba Timur, Dominikus Ara, said the District Government of Sumba Timur has allocated Rp 425 million for surra treatment (tripamedium) in 2010. The last of the funds were for May 2011, but starting June 2011 there is no more.

Head of Animal Health Management Division of NTT Livestock Service Office, Maria Geong, said surra is transmitted through trypanosome-containing blood sucked by blood-sucking flies, lice, tick, or mosquitoes. (KOR)

Source : Kompas