One Health Surveillance: Safeguarding Poultry and Communities in Surabaya

In a bustling corner of Tambahrejo Market in Surabaya, Vicky shares the story of his family’s poultry stall. He’s been running the business since 2015, continuing a family tradition his mother started over forty years ago. “Our stall was untouched by the avian flu in 2003,” he recalls, though that was before his time. The H5N1 outbreak significantly impacted Indonesia, leading to millions of lost birds. Today, lessons from that crisis still shape responses to bird flu outbreaks.

Now, there’s a heightened effort in surveillance, especially in lively markets like Tambahrejo. The One Health initiative, backed by the Ministry of Health and global partners like the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme, aims to improve early detection of avian flu and other diseases. The initiative ran pilot efforts in five cities, including Surabaya, from July 28 to August 1, 2025.

At the market, Vicky maintains clear separation between chicken preparation and sales. However, in other parts of the market, the close contact between humans and animals raises potential health risks. “We collect samples from people, animals, and the environment to catch signs of disease early,” says Tika Fiona Sari, an environmental health officer.

Though vital, surveillance isn’t always welcomed. Vendors worry that positive results might scare away customers, impacting their sales. “It’s a tricky situation,” Tika admits. Dr. Romadhony Arif from the Surabaya City Food and Agriculture Agency expresses similar concerns. “We must work around their busy schedules to collect samples effectively,” he says.

Despite the hurdles, the teams managed to collect dozens of samples, reinforcing the importance of collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Dr. Romadhony notes, “The One Health approach is effective because we know what to do if a case appears. We can respond quickly and work together.”

Back at the stall, Vicky remains vigilant, keeping an eye on his poultry’s health. “If a chicken dies suddenly, we worry. We strive to keep everything clean and follow safety procedures,” he shares.

Protecting community health while sustaining economies is crucial. The One Health model fosters faster responses and thorough coordination among health sectors, helping prevent larger outbreaks.

For Vicky and many others in Indonesia’s markets, poultry farming is a lifeline. Their commitment to safety and health goes beyond their stalls; it shapes their entire community. Understanding these dynamics is key, especially as Indonesia continues to navigate the challenges posed by zoonotic diseases.

This initiative has received technical support from WHO and financial backing through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework.

For further insights on disease surveillance and health strategies, you might explore this report from the World Health Organization.



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