YIARI Collaboration: Prevent Zoonosis with One Health Approach
In an effort to prevent the spread of zoonoses, the Indonesian rehabilitation initiation Foundation (YIARI) helda refresher trainingthemed zoonosis and one Health approach in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
The event took place over a full day at the Sir Michael Uren Learning Centre and was followed offline and online via the Zoom Meeting platform, enabling participation from various regions.
This training involved various stakeholders in Ketapang, including the Ketapang district Health Office, Puskesmas, Puskeswan, Dr. Agoesdjam, Regional Health Laboratory, and Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and plantation.
What kind of activities? Come on, listen!
What is Zoonosis
Zoonoses are diseases or infections that can be transmitted between animals and humans, either directly or through intermediaries (vectors) such as mosquitoes or ticks. Some examples of zoonotic diseases include bird flu, rabies, Anthrax, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), malaria, monkey pox, and Nipah virus.
According to data from the Plantation and Animal Husbandry Office of West Kalimantan province, about 75 percent of new diseases in humans in the past two decades have come from the transmission of animal pathogens. Of the 1,415 types of pathogenic microorganisms that affect humans, 61.6 percent of them are known to come from animals.
In Indonesia itself, several zoonotic diseases have been identified and become a major concern, such as rabies, Anthrax, avian influenza, and helminthiasis.
The high biodiversity in Indonesia, coupled with the rapid growth of the human population, magnifies the potential for interactions between humans and animals that can trigger the spread of this disease.
Cegah Zoonosis dengan One Health
In a refresher training held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Indonesian rehabilitation initiation Foundation (YIARI) invited various stakeholders in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, to jointly prevent the spread of zoonoses through the one Health approach.
The concept of One Health or One Health is a cross-sector integration that combines aspects of human, animal and environmental health holistically.
The participants targeted by this training include field health workers, health care providers, educators, to policy makers. The One Health approach is now considered the most effective strategy in dealing with the complex challenges of zoonotic diseases, which cannot be solved by one sector alone.
Through this collaborative approach, different sectors are encouraged to work together, share knowledge and make optimal use of resources.
Synergies between sectors are expected to strengthen the capacity of early detection, rapid response, and Prevention of zoonoses in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
Increase understanding and commitment
Through the training, YIARI hopes that the participants can understand more deeply the concept of One Health and recognize the types of zoonoses that are common in domestic animals, livestock, and Wildlife.
This training is also a forum for stakeholders to get to know each other, build networks, and strengthen commitments in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases in their respective work areas.
Especially for field officers, this training is designed so that they are able to carry out early identification, recording, and reporting of zoonotic incidents appropriately.
With these skills, they are expected to be at the forefront of zoonosis prevention and control efforts at the community level.
Communication and coordination as the key to success
The success of the One Health approach relies heavily on effective communication and solid coordination between sectors. Therefore, the training also emphasizes the importance of building harmonious and collaborative working relationships between the institutions and institutions involved.
In addition to strengthening technical capacity, YIARI also provided participants with an in-depth understanding of the impact of zoonoses on biodiversity and public health. Information based on field data was also submitted, including community activities in high-risk areas in Ketapang, which are considered vulnerable to the spread of zoonoses.
Stakeholders Respond Well To Training
The refreshment training held by YIARI related to zoonosis and the one Health approach received a positive response from the stakeholders present. Throughout the activity, participants actively discussed and exchanged insights with the speakers interactively, discussing challenges and solutions in the prevention and treatment of zoonoses in the field.
To support the comfort of participants, the committee provides two coffee break sessions and one lunch. In addition, YIARI also facilitates shuttle services using buses or vehicles from the Health Office to the location of the activity, namely the Sir Michael Uren Learning Center.
This activity is a concrete proof of YIARI’s commitment to zoonosis issues that are increasingly relevant in Indonesia. Given the close relationship between Zoonoses and pets, livestock and Wildlife, The One Health approach is considered a strategic solution because it involves collaboration across sectors—from health, environment and agriculture.
This commitment is also in line with the steps of the government which has issued the regulation of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and culture of the Republic of Indonesia number 7 of 2022 concerning new guidelines for the Prevention and control of zoonoses and Infectious Diseases.
This regulation was issued in response to the increasing incidence of zoonotic diseases and new infectious diseases that have the potential to have a major impact, both socially, economically, security, and public welfare.
With the increasing awareness and synergy of various parties, there is no reason to be passive in the midst of a growing zoonotic threat. A collaborative and sustainable approach is key to taking care of human, animal and environmental health in an integrated way.