Raising livestock can provide promising financial benefits. However, it should not be done haphazardly. If not properly cared for, livestock can get disease and transmit it to humans.
There are various types of livestock that are widely kept in Indonesia. Some that are quite popular include cows, goats, buffalo, chickens, ducks, birds, fish, and pigs. Farm animals may indeed promise profits, but they can also be a source of disease if not cared for properly.
Farm Animal Disease
Poultry is one type of livestock that is kept by the people of Indonesia. Even though it promises profit or can be consumed, poultry turns out to be one type of livestock that can cause disease. In addition, cows, goats, and pigs are also livestock that often transmit diseases to humans.
The following are some of the common diseases that are transmitted from farm animals to humans:
- Bird flu
Bird flu or also known as avian influenza is an infection caused by a virus that spreads between birds. One type of bird flu virus, H5N1, is a type that is very deadly to birds, humans and other mammals. This virus is spread through direct contact with poultry, either from feces or poultry fluids; breathe air containing the virus; viruses in the air or water attach to the eyes, nose, or enter the human mouth; and also for cleaning poultry meat. Transmission from consumption of cooked poultry meat has never occurred. While the spread of this virus between humans, it is rarely found. Symptoms due to bird flu infection in humans can be very diverse. Initially, symptoms will appear like the common cold, but will develop into severe respiratory problems that can be deadly.
- BrucellosisDisease brucellosis usually attacks livestock, such as goats and cows. This disease is caused by bacteria Brucella. Transmission to humans can occur through livestock products that have been contaminated and then consumed by humans. Breathing air that has been contaminated with these bacteria, or having direct contact with infected livestock, can also contract this disease. Bacteria Brucella can be excreted from the body of a cow or goat through milk, urine, placental fluid, and other fluids from the body of livestock. If infected, symptoms that appear include feeling weak, dizzy, weight loss, decreased appetite, back pain, all joints body aches, fever, chills, and sweats at night. On examination, the liver and spleen are usually enlarged.
- Taeniasis/cysticercosis
Ingested worm eggs can develop in the central nervous system in the brain (neurocysticercosis) and cause epilepsy, even though the patient previously had no history of epilepsy. The disease is characterized by convulsions, excessive headaches, dementia, meningitis, blindness, or hydrocephalus.
So that you can maximize the benefits of raising livestock, reduce the risks by maintaining the cleanliness and condition of the livestock. Give vitamins and check the health of livestock regularly, to prevent disease. If you or a family member experience symptoms of a disease that may be transmitted by livestock, see a doctor immediately.
