The Surabaya City Government continues to strengthen preparedness to anticipate the threat of zoonotic diseases, or diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Through cross-sector collaboration, the local government focuses on early prevention by strengthening surveillance systems, risk communication, and raising public awareness.
This concrete step was realized in the Zoonotic Disease Prevention Education Workshop held at the Medokan Ayu Community Health Center on July 21–22, 2026. The event was organized by the Surabaya City Health Office (Dinkes) together with the Bureau of Communication and Public Information of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the Public Health Portal (Portkesmas), and the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Working Group, involving various community organizations and media representatives.
The Head of the Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) Division of the Surabaya Health Office, dr. Atiek Tri Arini, explained that the key to handling zoonoses is preparedness before they develop into outbreaks. One of the threats being monitored, especially during the rainy season, is leptospirosis, which is transmitted through rat urine in dirty environments. Residents are urged to get used to washing their hands, wearing footwear in flooded areas, and maintaining cleanliness around their homes.
Clinical symptoms of leptospirosis usually begin with a sudden high fever accompanied by muscle pain without cough or runny nose. In addition to leptospirosis, the Health Office is also closely monitoring cases of animal bites that transmit rabies (GHPR). Although Surabaya is not a rabies-endemic area, the public is asked to remain responsive and seek medical help if bitten by transmitting animals such as dogs or cats.
Based on the latest data, no cases of avian influenza or anthrax in humans have been found in Surabaya over the last five years (2021 to mid-2026). However, the number of suspected leptospirosis cases and GHPR cases remains fluctuant. In 2025, 25 suspected leptospirosis cases and 40 GHPR cases were reported, while up to mid-2026, 14 and 33 cases have been recorded, respectively.
From the animal health sector, a representative of the Surabaya City Food Security and Agriculture Office, veterinarian Wafiroh, reminded the importance of regular vaccination for pets to reduce the risk of rabies. The community is also urged not to slaughter or consume livestock that died suddenly to avoid the transmission of dangerous diseases like anthrax.
Portkesmas Program Manager, dr. Basra Ahmad Amru, added that tactical coordination at the local level like in Surabaya is a crucial foundation in facing potential global pandemics, considering that most emerging infectious diseases originate from animals. In line with this, the head of the RCCE Working Group, Rizky Ika Syafitri, emphasized the importance of disseminating accurate and easy-to-understand information so that the public actively adopts clean and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
