RANTAU PANJANG: The Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry (MAFI) through the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has taken immediate action by preventing movement of livestock from state to state as a precaution against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).
Its Deputy Minister ll Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi said the move would help to curb the spread of the disease among livestocks.
In citing what the department had done, he said quick action was taken by the Kedah DVS to control the movement of 17,000 cows and buffaloes in the state that might be at risk of contracting LSD.
However, he said other cattle rearers should not worry over the spread of the disease to their livestocks.
"The ministry is aware about the latest case in Kedah and it has taken immediate action by controlling the movement of affected livestocks.
"Therefore, consumers as well as rearers must not worry about the safety of the other livestocks. They must place confidence with the authority as Malaysia is among the best countries in controlling the spread of LSD," Che Abdullah told reporters after visiting the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) quarantine centre in Rantau Panjang here today.
Accompanying him was Kelantan Maqis director Roslan Che At.
It was reported that the Kedah DVS had previously expected about 17,000 cows and buffaloes in the state to be at risk of contracting LSD with the rate of deaths at three per cent or 500 animals.
Kedah VSD director Dr Shaharul Akmar Talib was reported to have estimated losses due to death of livestock could reach a total RM1.29 million if the spread of the disease was left unchecked.
He said inspections found 52 animals from 30 premises to have symptoms of LSD infection.