Waingapu – Surra, an animal disease caused by blood parasite Trypanosoma evansi, is attacking livestock in East Sumba district. Head of the Livestock Service Office of East Sumba, Yunus Damu Wulang, on Friday (25/5) said the disease has struck livestock (horses) in 6 subdistricts: Lewa, Lewa Tidas, Katala Hamulingu, Nggaha Ori Angu, Tabundung, and Wulla Waijelu subdistricts.

Damu Wulang said the disease came from animals illegally imported from a neighboring district in Sumba Island. “At first, Surra, which mainly attacks large animals particularly horses, was only founding Lewa subdistrict in 2012. But now it has spread to 6 subdistricts in East Sumba,” he said.

To prevent further spread of the disease, Tripollin is administered to infected animals. Unfortunately, the Livestock Service Office of East Sumba is low on stock. Therefore, they have requested aid from the provincial government of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and central government. “We have requested the provincial government of NTT to help us with at least 2500 cc of Tripollin,” he said.

Damu Wulang said because Surra has attacked animals in 6 subdistrict in Sumba Timur, it could be categorized as an outbreak. “Surra in Sumba Timur is classified as an outbreak because it has affected at least 6 subdistricts. That is why we are asking help from the provincial government of NTT in Kupang and the central government in Jakarta to support us in acquiring medicine to eradicate Surra,” he said. (jun)