IPB Applies an Early Warning System to Face Anthrax and AI in Bogor
Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) again inaugurated its three Professors in the Auditorium of Andi Hakim Nasoetion, Darmaga Campus (22/12). One professor delivering a scientific speech is Prof. Dr. Drh. Agik Suprayogi, talking about "The Role of Animal Physiology Experts in Anticipating the Effect of Global Warming Impact and Efforts to Improve Livestock Health and Production".
In his speech, Prof. Agik explained the importance of an Early Warning System for dealing with Anthrax and Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu, which is already endemic in Indonesia. Global warming has forced all living beings to make adaptation; human or animal (host) as well as disease (agent) will make adaptations in order to survive. Due to global warming, Avian Influenza and Anthrax become more virulent.
Indonesia is one of the countries that applies the vaccine to tackle anthrax attacks and AI. Other countries implementing similar policies are Egypt, China and Vietnam, while other countries prefer to destroy the diseased livestock.
"If Indonesia adopted the other policy (i.e. to destroy the AI-infected cattle), then the import tap of livestock could not avoided as we have a large market share. It would be a dilemma, so we decide to be one of the countries that adopt vaccination on animals," he said.
However, it is more important to prevent than to cure it. The studies conducted since 2005 has resulted in an Early Warning System (EWS) against zoonotics of Anthrax and Avian Influenza, applied in Bogor.
"From the research that has been going on since 2005, we have found that in Bogor Avian Influenza virus is very likely to be active in the wet and cold months. AI virus likes a low temperature and high humidity. From our data, the month of these criteria is from December to February," he explained, while the potential month of anthrax to appear is that of high rainfall after a long dry season, which is mid-August to mid-October.
"It is in the months that we need to be alert and take precautions to prevent outbreaks. Three things need to be done for the prevention: namely, the farmers must manage their ranch environmentally friendly, grow vegetation and develop cage architecture, and establish a standard value of health and of comfortable environment for the local cattle in Indonesia," she said.
The EWS that he has developed can be applied in other areas that are potential to experience AI or Anthrax (AI and Anthrax endemic) because, according to him, the weather conditions as indicated from the study data occurred not only in Bogor but also in other unexpected areas (for example NTT) due to the global climate change.
"All related parties (agricultural services, veterinarians, local governments, etc.) must be prepared and alert in the fight against the enemy (AI). EWS is one way of preventing an outbreak. In the last Eid al-Adha, Alhamdulillah, there were no cases of anthrax, though I was worried because it coincided with September (the potential month of Anthrax). This was due to the preparedness of the local government and related agencies with the presence of EWS," he said. (Mtd)
