PMK is still endemic, distribution of sacrificial animal meat is recommended to use plastic

Sacrificial animals slaughtered during Eid al-Adha will later be distributed to people in need.

The packaging of the sacrificial meat in each is different. There are those who use gifts in the form of besek covered with banana leaves so that they are environmentally friendly.

There are also those who use single-use plastic to make it more practical.

However, in the midst of an outbreak of mouth and nail disease (PMK), it is recommended that the sacrificial meat is not packaged in a plastic bag.

This was conveyed by the Head of the Food Security Division of the Bandung City Food and Agriculture Security Service (DKPP), Ermariah, at City Hall, Wednesday 6 July 2022.

"The good thing is to use plastic and organic plastic. At least clear plastic is not recycled," he said.

If you use banana leaves or besek, blood or flesh fluid is likely to drip on the road on the way home. The fluid has the potential to contain viruses and infect other livestock.

"If you use besekan, when you get home, the meat is boiled, the besekan or the leaves are thrown into the trash. From there, the leaves will be thrown into the garbage collection, there is a chance that the goats there eat the leaves," he said.

In addition, he said, besek made of bamboo can absorb odors, dirt and bacteria.

"Bamboo is the same. It will be difficult to clean because it sticks," he said.

According to Ermariah, the use of leaf packaging and besek needs to be avoided because it is feared that it will form an increasingly widespread cycle of virus spread.

Therefore, he suggested using clear plastic as packaging for sacrificial meat.

"If it's wrapped in plastic, just soak the plastic in hot water, the virus will die and the plastic can be thrown into the trash, don't throw it away," he said. (rob)*

Head of Discominfo Bandung

Yayan A. Brilyana