Caution for Anthrax, Hundreds of Cattle from NTT and NTB Inspected

At least 215 cattle from Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) entered Surabaya since 3 days ago. However, last week the East Java provincial government has banned cattle importation to East Java from those areas because of the risk of Anthrax.
Currently, hundreds of cattle are quarantined up to five days in Kandangan in West Surabaya. Quarantine of cattle coming through Tanjung Perak Harbor was also support by blood sample collection by the Animal Quarantine Agency of Tanjung Perak Surabaya.
These cattle, which are for Idul Qurban, could be infected by Bacillus anthracis bacteria, the causative agent of anthrax. Therefore they should be quarantined before released to the market or sent to other areas.

“This is to anticipate the threat of [prevent] anthrax,” said the Head of Operational Service of Tanjung Perak Surabaya Animal Quarantine Agency, drh Wawan Sutian, to the press at Kandangan Street in Surabaya on Sunday (16/12).
Blood sample collection was done not only on imported animals [from other countries], but also for trade between islands in accordance with the distributed letter (Surat Edaran) from the Minister of Agriculture and a similar letter from the Governor of East Java. Both of the letters stated that every area should increase its alertness approaching Idul Adha day. “We observe [examine] these cattle for the second time by taking blood samples.”
“And usually [cattle] are quarantined for five days,” he added. The Tanjung Perak Animal Quarantine Agency admitted that the Livestock Services Office of East Java by the name of the Governor of East Java has banned cattle importation from other areas, especially from NTT and NTB. But the Tanjung Perak Animal Quarantine Agency guaranteed that these cattle from NTB and NTT are free from anthrax.
Head of the Provincial Livestock Services Office of East Java, Sigit Hanggono, previously said that ban on cattle importation from NTT and NTB was instituted starting December. It was because of an anthrax case in Pati in Central Java in the middle of 2007 causing one human fatality.
The anthrax case in Pati was because of cattle shipped from NTT. Since 2005, NTT and NTB were declared as anthrax endemic areas. Surabaya is usually a destination and transit area of livestock from the eastern parts of Indonesia heading for Jakarta or other surrounding areas. This ban will be continued until the endemic areas are declared free from anthrax.
Regarding preparations from the East Java province towards Idul Adha where there is increased demand for sacrificial (kurban) animals, [the government stated] nothing is to be worried. “This is because East Java is a livestock production center that could fulfill its own needs,” Sigit explained.
According to data from the Livestock Services Office of East Java, this province could produce [provide] 600,000 cattle and goats for Idul Qurban, while East Java only needs 300,000 livestock per year. Therefore, East Java could even supply livestock for other provinces up to 120,000 livestock per year.
The Tanjung Perak Animal Quarantine Agency has coordinated with the police to anticipate illegal livestock without any health documents or even official documents. uca
Source : Surya