The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Indonesia for its strong leadership in reducing the risks posed by priority zoonotic diseases through a strengthened One Health approach. Announced on World Health Day 2026, the initiative highlights Indonesia’s growing commitment to integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems to better prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.
WHO explained that zoonotic diseases, which spread between animals and humans, continue to pose major global health threats. More than 60 percent of known infectious diseases and up to 75 percent of emerging diseases originate from animals. As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia faces elevated risks due to climate-related disasters, environmental changes, and close interaction between communities, animals, and ecosystems.
Indonesia has strengthened collaboration across the health, agriculture, veterinary, and environmental sectors to improve surveillance, prevention, and emergency response systems. WHO noted that the country’s multisectoral coordination has enhanced early detection and response capabilities, particularly in areas with high exposure to zoonotic threats.
The country’s One Health efforts currently focus on diseases such as avian influenza, leptospirosis, anthrax, and rabies. In 2025, WHO supported integrated avian influenza surveillance in five provinces, with traditional poultry markets used as early warning sites. Indonesia has also improved surveillance and community awareness programmes for leptospirosis in flood-prone regions, while strengthening health worker training and monitoring systems to reduce the impact of anthrax and rabies.
WHO Representative to Indonesia Dr. N. Paranietharan stated that Indonesia is demonstrating how coordinated action across multiple sectors can effectively reduce everyday risks from zoonotic diseases. He emphasized that stronger collaboration is improving preparedness, protecting vulnerable communities, and building more resilient health systems.
Indonesia’s progress also reflects growing regional and global attention toward the One Health approach as countries confront emerging diseases, biodiversity loss, and climate-related health risks. WHO noted that Indonesia continues to play an important leadership role in ASEAN and global health discussions focused on strengthening pandemic preparedness and health security
