Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agriculture has assured that the control of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in livestock across Indonesia remains optimal ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said here on Wednesday that when FMD cases were showing an increasing trend in early 2025, the ministry allocated a budget of Rp100 billion (around US$6 million) to procure FMD vaccines.
"Millions of vaccines have been distributed to various regions in Indonesia. Thank God, currently, the trend of FMD cases has subsided," he added.
Sulaiman affirmed that his ministry is continuing to move quickly to handle the spread of FMD. He has also asked his staff to remain alert against the outbreak.
Director general of livestock and animal health at the ministry, Agung Suganda, said that his team is conducting routine daily monitoring through the Integrated National Animal Health Information System (iSIKHNAS) to anticipate a spike in livestock traffic ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
He noted that livestock usually experience decreased immunity after being transported to a new place due to journey-related fatigue. This makes them more susceptible to disease, including FMD.
To ensure that FMD cases continue to decline, the ministry is increasing the epidemiological capacity of animal health officers so that they can carry out early detection, quick response, and risk-based FMD control.
As part of preventive measures, the Ministry of Agriculture has carried out the FMD Vaccination Months program from January to March 2025 and will provide booster vaccinations in July - September.
So far, the total number of vaccine doses administered has reached 1,688,651.
According to director of animal health at the ministry, Imron Suandy, the ministry has distributed medicines and logistics, including antibiotics, vitamins, and disinfectants, to various regions to accelerate FMD handling.
Based on a national evaluation, as of March 24, 2025, the implementation of FMD vaccination has continued to show positive progress. Most provinces have achieved a vaccination rate target of above 60 percent, with several regions reaching above 80 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture is also continuing to coordinate with provincial, district, and city livestock offices and veterinary centers across Indonesia to formulate strategic steps to control the contagious disease.
