Barantin Anticipates the Threat of PPR Virus Entering Indonesia

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Jorge Salvador

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) anticipates the threat of the 'Peste des Petits Ruminants' or PPR virus that attacks goats and sheep not to enter Indonesia through a special strategy involving cross-agencies as an effort to increase vigilance.

"We have been monitoring the movement of PPR disease that attacks goats and sheep," said Head of Barantin Sahat Manaor Panggabean at the Animal Quarantine Techniques and Methods Testing Center, Fish and Plants, Bekasi, reported by ANTARA, Friday, January 16.

He explained that the spread of diseases caused by viruses and can be transmitted through direct contact, feed and air is a special concern for Barantin, especially in terms of monitoring animal traffic and livestock products, especially from abroad.

Based on the distribution map, this disease originated from Africa but has now moved to the Asian region. PPR has been detected entering several Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.

"From previous experience, the movement of the disease from the Peninsula region usually does not take long to reach our region. This is a serious concern for us," he said.

PPR is said to have a very high mortality rate, even reaching 100 percent in infected livestock, so that the public, especially those traveling from the peninsula, are urged not to bring goats or sheep, both alive and in the form of meat to Indonesia.

His party also asked for attention to transport actors, especially ships that usually enter through Aceh, North Sumatra and Riau, not to bring in livestock or derivatives illegally.

"We ask for the cooperation of the community in coastal areas to ensure that this does not happen, especially for live animals," he said.

Barantin has also directed all Technical Implementation Units (UPT) of Quarantine in Indonesia to increase vigilance and strengthen coordination with relevant ministries and agencies as well as local governments to prevent the entry of this disease.

"We also remind the public and farmers not to be easily tempted by offers of livestock that look good but have the potential to carry diseases. If PPR enters, the most affected are the people's farmers," he said.

Sahat admitted that although the PPR virus is not a zoonosis or is not transmitted from animals to humans, it is very dangerous for livestock because it can destroy the entire population of goats and sheep.

"Currently Indonesia does not have a PPR vaccine because the disease is not yet in Indonesia. Vaccines are available abroad, but we hope that this disease will not enter so that we do not need to import vaccines," he said.

He hopes that all related elements, including the media, can help educate the public, especially in the Malacca Strait area, so that bad experiences such as the FMD outbreak do not happen again.

"The concept we are building now is an early warning system, so that all parties can prepare and prevent it early. Hopefully this disease will not enter Indonesia," he said.

Deputy Head of Animal Quarantine at Barantin Sriyanto revealed that the PPR virus has entered the Southeast Asian region and was last observed attacking sheep and goats in Vietnam in November 2025 to spread to other countries.

"As an anticipation of this viral disease, the virus can usually be acute, quickly transmitted, can be through the air, direct contact, or as mentioned earlier, if it has clinical symptoms, respiratory disorders, secretions that come out between healthy animals and sick animals will also be fast and easy," he said.

He admitted that the population of goat and sheep livestock in Indonesia is very large. Goats are recorded at 15.8 million heads while sheep are 9.1 million heads with a total of 24.9 million heads or can be said to be surplus so that there is no need to import goat or sheep meat.

"That's why we are concerned about the link to trade for animal traffic, especially goats, sheep and their meat illegally from our neighboring countries, especially from Thailand and Vietnam. It can also enter through Malaysia," he said.