TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights Indonesia’s progress in reducing health risks from zoonotic diseases through a strengthened One Health approach.
One Health recognizes that the health of people, animals and the environment are closely connected and must be addressed together.
“Indonesia is demonstrating how coordinated, multisectoral action can reduce everyday risks from zoonotic diseases,” said Dr N. Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Indonesia, as quoted from a release received by Tempo on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
According to the WHO representative, Indonesia's efforts strengthen early detection of zoonotic diseases. improving response and protecting the most vulnerable communities.
Zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, are infections that can spread between animals and people, often through close contact or contaminated environments.
As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia faces heightened zoonotic risks linked to climate-related disasters, environmental change and close interaction between people, animals and nature.
Indonesia’s One Health efforts focus on priority zoonotic diseases such as avian influenza, leptospirosis, anthrax and rabies.
In 2025, WHO supported the piloting of integrated One Health avian influenza surveillance in five priority provinces, with traditional poultry markets serving as critical early warning sites.
For leptospirosis, improved integrated surveillance, joint risk assessment, early detection, prompt treatment and community awareness have helped multisectoral collaboration, strengthened health system readiness and reduced deaths in flood-prone regions.
To reduce the impact of anthrax, WHO supported the training of health front-liners and monitoring acute events. Meanwhile, for rabies, WHO continues to support surveillance, case management, community empowerment and reinforcing cross-sector collaboration.
Indonesia’s experience reflects a higher regional and global attention towards One Health, as countries confront the growing health impacts of climate change, environmental disruption and emerging diseases.
The Indonesia government, in this instance, continues to lead in advancing the program in ASEAN and beyond. This commitment will be highlighted at the One Health Summit, which will bring together heads of state and ministers to drive high-level political support and translate commitments into coordinated action to protect health for all.
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