BRIN is aware of the potential for the return of Pes disease in Indonesia, the Silent Period phenomenon is in the spotlight

JAKARTA - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Public Health and Nutrition Research Center (BRIN) reminds the public to be aware of the potential for the re-emergence of plague in Indonesia even though in recent years no cases have been found in humans.

BRIN researcher Ristiyanto explained that there is a silent period phenomenon, which is a period when a disease is not detected for a long time, but it actually still has the potential to reappear.

"There is a term silent period, which is a period when a disease is not detected for a long time, but it actually still has the potential to reappear," he said in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, April 13.

According to him, the pes is suspected to still be in that phase. The indication can be seen from the still found causes of bacteria, vectors, and reservoirs of diseases, such as pinjals and rats, in a number of enzootic areas in Indonesia.

Ristiyanto said that changes in the environment were one of the main factors that increased the risk of the disease reappearing. Deforestation, land use changes, and population growth are considered to have disrupted the ecosystem balance so that the rat's habitat is getting closer to human settlements.

"This condition increases the opportunity for transmission of disease through the bite of the mosquito that carries the bacteria," he said.

In line with this, BRIN researcher Muhammad Choirul Hidajat said climate change also contributed to the increase in the population of mosquitoes as disease vectors.

"The combination of environmental changes, the presence of vectors and reservoirs, and increased interaction with humans are the main risk factors to be aware of," said Choirul.

He emphasized that rats as the main reservoir of Yersinia pestis bacteria are still widely found in various regions of Indonesia. Transmission to humans can occur through the bite of fleas that live on the body of the animal.

Although there have been no cases in humans for more than a decade, several areas on the island of Java are still categorized as focus areas, including Pasuruan, Boyolali, Sleman, and Bandung regencies.

Choirul reminded that this condition should not be taken lightly. According to him, the absence of cases does not mean that the disease has completely disappeared.

As a precautionary measure, BRIN recommends strengthening integrated surveillance based on the One Health approach, which includes monitoring humans, animals, and disease vectors. In addition, improving environmental sanitation and monitoring the former endemic area are considered important to prevent potential outbreaks.