English
Indonesia
Animal Movement between Islands still Loose
Kupang - The movement of animals between islands or districts in East Nusa Tenggara is still loose. Massive spread of new animal diseases recently indicates a weak monitoring system.
Some diseases that have spread are Rabies in dogs; Surra, Anthrax, and Hemorrhagic Septicemia in cattle, buffalos, and horses; and Hog Cholera in swine. These diseases could be easily transported, including to regions which were previously free.
Chairman of the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) for the East Nusa Tenggara branch, Maria Geong regrets that the government could only create rules and regulations on animal traffic, but not implement it.
Government bodies responsible for animal traffic between islands and districts are the district/municipal livestock service office, quarantine agency, and disease investigation center.
“Animals could easily cross from one island or district to another, even though they are positively infected by a certain disease. This indicates that the monitoring system and commitment to enforce law is very weak,” she said.
Maria gave examples of rabies introduction to Flores from Buton Island in Sulawesi (1996) and rabies introduction to Bali (2010), and also the spread of Surra in horses, cattle, and buffalos in Sumba (2010). Before, Sumba was free from Surra, expect for Bima and Flores which are endemic for the disease.
Also, in early August 2010, hundreds of ducks were imported by the district government of West Sumba from Bima (West Nusa Tenggara) for breeding. The problem is that West Nusa Tenggara is infected by avian influenza, while East Nusa Tenggara is still free from the disease.
In a regional coordination meeting between East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and Bali on Saturday (28/8), Head of the Animal Division from the Livestock Service Office of Southwest West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara province, Oktovianus Dapadeda shed tears when reporting Surra outbreak in Sumba. (kor)
Source : Kompas