PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN NTT HAS DECLINED

Kupang, Indonesia, May 1 (ANTARA) - The prevalance of infectious abortion disease (Brucellosis) which attacked cows in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) started to decline following regular vaccinations on the livestock.

"Some of the cows in Belu and North Central Timor (TTU) were still infected with the disease, but following vaccinations, the prevalence started to drop," chairman of the Association of Indonesian Veterinari, NTT chapter, Dr Maria Geong said here Friday.

She said after along with two Australian animal disease experts conducted a research of the development of brucellosis in Belu regency and TTU.

According to Helen Scott-Orr, Director of Health Sciences, Strategic and Evaluation Science Research, the Australian Departement of Primary Industries, the infectious abortion disease still attacked cows in NTT because the vaccinations were not carried out regularly.

In addition, the cow farmers were reluctant to slaughter their cows infected with the disease, so that the diseas (brucellosis) still prevailed in NTT, especially in Belu and TTU. ***