Han Revanda, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) is focusing on handling foot and mouth disease (FMD) in nine provinces that are still included in the FMD eradication zone category, aka the red zone. The nine provinces consist of six provinces on Java Island plus Lampung, Bali, and West Nusa Tenggara.
To eradicate the spread of this virus, the Director General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agung Suganda, said that the peak of vaccination activities will take place in February to March 2025. The Ministry of Agriculture plans to carry out simultaneous vaccinations in nine provinces in those months.
"We are preparing an operational strategy related to the planned implementation of the foot and mouth disease vaccination month," said Agung in his official statement, Saturday, January 25, 2025.
The Ministry of Agriculture has prepared 4 million doses of vaccine from the State Budget (APBN). Agung added that the regional government will also increase support for vaccine needs allocated through the Regional Budget (APBD).
Not only the government, Agung said that the private sector is also implementing an independent vaccination program. In Lampung, this program is followed by several livestock companies. Several companies provide free vaccinations for people within a minimum radius of 3 km around their farms.
From his calculations, Agung revealed that Indonesia needs around 6 million doses of vaccine to tackle FMD in nine red zone provinces. With cooperation between the government, farmers, and all related parties, Agung believes that Indonesia can achieve the herd immunity needed to combat this disease.
"Coupled with the support of the Center for Veterinary Pharmacy (BBVF) Pusvetma which produces domestic vaccines, we are confident that we can control this disease," said Agung.
From December 2024 to January 23, 2025, 28,725 cattle were recorded as being affected by FMD spread across 18 provinces. Agung claims that the trend of cases shows a significant decline. The number of cases is now below the standard deviation recorded in the third week of December 2024.
"Although there are still cases in the red zone, we are confident that with strong synergy between the government and all stakeholders, Indonesia will be free from FMD in the shortest possible time," said Agung.