Counseling on Sanitation and Cage Cleanliness Educational Topics for Breeders and Bird Keepers in Bengkulu Region
Bird flu disease (Avian Influenza) can cause economic losses in a sizeable amount for the poultry industry, especially broiler and laying hens. Until now, the incidence of bird flu is still attracting attention and requires anticipation of sustainable handling by the government, academics as well as farmers and breeders in almost every province in Indonesia. This infectious disease was detected to have attacked poultry and birds in South Sumatra Province 2 years ago. Given that the location of Bengkulu Province is directly adjacent to the Province of South Sumatra, this opens up opportunities for the bird flu virus to migrate and spread into the Bengkulu Province.
Based on the information on the South Sumatra AIAT page,Influenza type A (H5N1) virus that attacked poultry in South Sumatra in 2020 had a very fatal impact. It is known that almost all poultry and birds are susceptible to avian influenza viruses such as chickens, turkeys, quails, ducks, geese and wild birds such as cockatoos, sparrows and other poultry. Mentioned by Dr. Heri Dwi Putranto from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agriculture, UNIB, said the death rate from this virus could reach 100%, especially in laying hens.
The potential for the spread of the bird flu virus further complements the various problems faced by the government and breeders who are currently still faced with the problem of foot and mouth disease that attacks large ruminants such as cattle and buffalo. Another thing that also demands public attention is that bird flu is caused by a virus that can be transmitted to humans. So it takes the readiness of the community individually to jointly tackle the spread of the bird flu virus.
To anticipate the emergence of avian influenza (avian influenza) which can attack poultry and birds in Bengkulu City, a lecturer at the Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agriculture, UNIB, Dr. Heri Dwi Putranto S.Pt. M.Sc. together with the Community Service Team consisting of Ir. Warnoto, MP and Ir. Sutriyono, M.Si in partnership with the Bengkulu City Animal Park Community which consists of chirping bird keepers and lovers in Bengkulu City has held outreach activities and piloted the use of disinfectants to stop the spread of the H5N1 virus from this bird flu disease.
Along with the implementation of routine joint training activities (LatBer) for the Wildlife Park Community at the Royal Resident 2 Housing field, Bumi Ayu area, Bengkulu City on October 30, 2022, the team of lecturers from UNIB invited all bird keepers and lovers to pay more attention to sanitation and cleanliness of pet bird cages. Good cage sanitation is believed to be the first step in breaking the chain of development of the H5N1 virus. In addition to explaining the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of the cage sanitation by regularly cleaning the cage and the environment around the cage, the Community Service Team of the Department of Animal Husbandry also provided counseling on the use of animal-friendly disinfectants. The meaning of animal-friendly here is that the disinfectant product is safe for livestock and not lethal to poultry or birds. This is because the disinfectant is only targeted to eradicate viruses and fungi and is not toxic to poultry and birds that are kept.
Head of UNIB Animal Husbandry Laboratory, Dr. Nurmeiliasari, M.Sc welcomed the outreach activities carried out by the UNIB Community Service Team with the topic of Disinfectant – Antiseptic Combination Education in the Activities of the New Normal Order of the Bengkulu City Wildlife Park Community. “This outreach activity is a clear evidence of the contribution of UNIB’s academics in the Department of Animal Husbandry to participate in educating the community and increasing public understanding of techniques for handling bird flu,” said Dr. Nurmeiliasari to Koran BE. Added by Dr. Suharyanto, M.Si, Head of the Department of Animal Science, FP UNIB, said that the Department really appreciates the activities that have been carried out by Dr. Heri and his colleagues. With this activity,
Harwinto as the Head of the Bengkulu City Wildlife Park Community also welcomed the initiative from the UNIB Department of Animal Husbandry to jointly carry out outreach activities in this Community Service Program. Furthermore, Harwinto said that this activity was very beneficial for community members considering that cage sanitation is also a routine activity that has been carried out by chirping bird keepers and lovers. “Moreover, lecturers from UNIB as resource persons for the activity also introduced the use of cheap and safe disinfectants for our pet birds,” said Harwinto.
At the end of this activity, the Service Team has handed over assistance in the form of 2 sprayers and disinfectants that can be used by members of the Taman Satwa Community to maintain the sanitation of the cage cleanliness and the environment of the chirping bird cage. The counseling participants consisting of keepers and lovers of chirping birds, at the end of this activity were also served chicken eggs which are a product of PT. Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Feedmill Lampung in the context of the Movement to Eat 2 Eggs Every Day for Healthy and Smart Indonesia.
