Australia has committed more than $17 million to directly support Indonesia’s efforts to control FMD and LSD outbreaks
Australia has handed over 500,000 doses of lumpy skin disease (LSD) vaccines to Indonesia as part of the Australian Government’s work to fight exotic animal diseases before they reach Australia’s borders and territories.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has granted one million doses of the vaccine in its recent commitment to assist Indonesia in controlling LSD. Up until, nearly 435,000 LSD vaccines are donated to the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture in Jakarta by Australia since March 2022.
The Australian Government via the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has provided $5 million for technical expertise and support for Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, to assist their work in combatting livestock diseases. This includes provision of vaccines, training in biosecurity and building diagnostic capacity. The Australian government has committed more than $17 million to directly support Indonesia’s efforts to control outbreaks of FMD and LSD, especially in Sumatra and Java islands provinces.
Acting Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Beth Cookson said “LSD and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) presented the most significant threats to Australia’s biosecurity in decades. Australia has been providing support to our nearest neighbors and close trading partners—like Indonesia—as they work to curb the spread of these diseases. LSD causes milk production losses and skin sores in cattle and water buffalo, and can be spread by mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks. The disease is a major threat to Australia’s livestock industry, trade and our economy”.
“Australia is free of both LSD or FMD. The work happening in Indonesia now is essential to reducing the impact of diseases throughout the region and to avoid the risk of entering Australia” added Dr. Cookson.
Dr Nuryani Zainuddin, Director of Animal Health, from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services, said “LSD had been confirmed in 15 provinces such as Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, Bengkulu, Lampung, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, and Central Kalimantan Province”.
Lumpy skin disease has decimated the livestock industry, resulting in economic losses. This highly contagious viral disease spreads rapidly, and its impact on cattle productivity cannot be overstated. Thus, the Australian government’s donation of lumpy skin disease vaccines will play a crucial role in controlling and eventually eradicating lumpy skin disease in Indonesia. The on-going vaccinator training program delivered to Indonesian vets and paravets to assist in building their technical capabilities in FMD and LSD control and eradication.
