Assessment of zoonotic diseases in Indonesia

• Murdoch University, Australia
• Disease Investigation Center Region VI, Indonesia
• University of New England, Australia
• National Committee on Bird Flu Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, Indonesia
• Australian National University, Australia

Diseases transferred from animal to humans (zoonoses) in Indonesia are considered important from the perspective of both human and animal health. This study identified the important diseases, attempted to quantify the costs of these diseases and investigated what would be the researchable issues that presently limited effective responses and control. Such information would provide a useful platform to design and implement research activity to assist Indonesia in control and prevention of zoonotic diseases.

The research team found only limited data were available for analysis to aid in identifying priorities and constraints. Effort was also directed towards accessing expert opinion and initiating discussion on issues wherever possible.

The highest priority diseases identified were brucellosis and cysticercosis followed by toxoplasmosis and avian influenza, and lastly anthrax and rabies. The team identified specific issues amenable to research for each of these diseases, with acknowledgement that projects are best developed in a consultative process involving relevant stakeholders (local and national, animal and public health). Many of the disease-specific projects involve recurring themes - particularly in areas such as disease surveillance, effective control programs (including adaptive research to understand factors driving reporting and compliance with control recommendations), and training of animal health staff at different levels in principles of epidemiology and surveillance.

The team also identified an opportunity to design projects to deliver outcomes against multiple goals. Some examples are: determine the space-time distribution of taeniasis/cysticercosis in animals and people; identify risk factors; train field staff in principles of surveillance; perform adaptive research on factors influencing understanding of disease and effective control; develop linkages between animal and human health staff; develop policy and legislative support for effective disease control.

Another finding was the considerable potential to leverage additional value from investment in disease-specific research and capacity development by incorporating disease-specific projects under a broader framework. Some of the benefits are associated with delivery of multiple outputs as described above. There may also be efficiency gains in some areas by developing research or training programs that can be applied in multiple locations, adapted to different diseases and delivered to more people at a time. This in turn provides indirect benefits in areas such as development of communication networks and cross-sector linkages between animal and human health personnel or between different segments of animal health.

Involvement of representatives from international agencies (WHO, FAO, AusAID and others) in discussions with senior representatives from Indonesian ministries (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health) offers the potential to harmonise and integrate activities. The team recommended a strategic planning meeting of these major stakeholders to review existing activities, select a small number of priority projects, identify potential funding sources and then develop project proposals for implementation. Diseases transferred from animal to humans in Indonesia are considered to be important for both human and animal health. This study will identify the important diseases, attempt to quantify the costs of these diseases and investigate what are the researchable issues that are limiting affective responses and control. Once established, this information will provide a useful platform to design and implement research activity.