protecting poultry and people in Surabaya through One Health surveillance

Protecting Poultry and People in Surabaya through One Health Surveillance

In the vibrant city of Surabaya, Indonesia, the intersection of human and animal health is becoming increasingly critical. The One Health surveillance initiative, which integrates efforts from various health sectors, is pivotal in preventing zoonotic diseases such as avian influenza. This comprehensive approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, particularly in areas where agricultural practices and traditional markets thrive.

Historical Context and Current Relevance

Surabaya, East Java’s capital, has a complex relationship with poultry. The lessons learned from the avian influenza outbreak of 2003, which devastated poultry farms across Asia, continue to resonate. With millions of birds lost to the H5N1 virus, the importance of surveillance and early detection systems cannot be overstated. These historical challenges have prompted ongoing vigilance against diseases that leap from animals to humans.

The One Health initiative is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, supported by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This initiative was piloted in various cities in 2025, notably in Surabaya, where the city’s role as a major poultry transit hub presents unique risks.

The One Health Approach

The One Health model emphasizes the coordination of efforts across human health, animal health, and environmental health sectors. At Tambahrejo Market, one of Surabaya’s bustling marketplaces, the initiative has begun to take root. Here, surveillance teams collect samples from humans, animals, and environmental sources to detect early signs of avian influenza and other diseases, effectively harnessing interdisciplinary expertise to tackle health threats.

According to Tika Fiona Sari, an environmental health officer participating in the surveillance efforts, the greatest challenge often lies in gaining cooperation from poultry sellers. Many fear that positive test results could deter customers, jeopardizing their livelihoods. This resistance exemplifies the delicate balance between public health and economic interests in a tight-knit community reliant on poultry sales.

Drh Romadhony Arif of the Surabaya City Food and Agriculture Agency echoes this sentiment, highlighting the logistical challenges of conducting surveillance during peak market hours. Adjusting to vendor schedules is critical for successful sampling. Luckily, their combined efforts have yielded promising results: over 100 poultry swabs and several human samples collected successfully from the market, creating a robust dataset for analysis.

Implementing Surveillance in Markets

Vicky, a young entrepreneur running a poultry stall in Tambahrejo Market, represents a new generation of sellers committed to health and cleanliness. His proactive approach includes monitoring the health of his chickens and alerting authorities at the first sign of illness. "If chickens die suddenly, we know it’s a disease and we must be alert," he states, underlining his dedication to maintaining sanitary conditions in his stall.

Surveillance teams are systematically gathering data, which is crucial for early disease detection and outbreak response. This collaborative effort allows for information flow among human, animal, and environmental health sectors, creating a unified response plan in the event of an outbreak.

Challenges and Consequences

Despite the clear benefits, the implementation of One Health surveillance is not without challenges. Many market vendors are understandably concerned about the potential fallout from detected diseases. Perceptions of risk can significantly impact their sales, causing reluctance to cooperate in testing efforts.

Moreover, there lies the inherent difficulty of maintaining thorough surveillance in environments with limited resources and manpower. Ensuring that all stakeholders are on board and understand the importance of these efforts is vital for the initiative’s success.

Community Health and Economic Implications

The One Health initiative directly addresses community health while recognizing the importance of sustaining livelihoods. In a fast-paced market environment, the early detection of zoonotic diseases can prevent outbreaks from spreading, ultimately saving lives and protecting economic stability.

Effective surveillance programs not only bolster public health responses but also foster a culture where sellers are aware of health risks. This awareness is essential, especially as communities like Surabaya navigate the complex landscape of food production, health crises, and economic pressures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the One Health surveillance initiative in Surabaya is a vital step toward safeguarding both public health and economic sustainability. By engaging communities in surveillance efforts, the initiative fosters a collaborative environment where the health of animals, humans, and the surrounding ecosystem coexist harmoniously.

As the world grapples with emerging infectious diseases, the lessons learned from Surabaya’s markets can be invaluable. Through comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches, health services can significantly mitigate the risks of zoonotic diseases, ultimately ensuring a safer and healthier environment for all. The resilience observed in markets like Tambahrejo speaks volumes about the potential for community-driven health initiatives to thrive, proving that protecting poultry and people is indeed a shared responsibility.

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