Rabies Threat In Indonesia: Ministry Of Health Issues Prevention Circular

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Photo: Doc. Healthy My Country Ministry of Health)

JAKARTA - Rabies is still a serious threat to public health in Indonesia. In response to the increasing cases of rabies, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes) issued Circular Letter (SE) Number HK.02.02/C/508/2025 concerning Vigilance of Rabies Cases.

This circular aims to increase public awareness and strengthen efforts to prevent and control rabies disease, both at the individual level and health facilities.

Rabies is an acute infectious disease that attacks the central nervous system, is caused by the rabies virus, and is transmitted through the bite or saliva of Rabies Infectious Animals (HPR).

The animals that spread rabies the most are dogs, cats, and monkeys. If not treated quickly and accurately, rabies almost always produces fatal after clinical symptoms appear.

Data from monthly reports of zoonosis in 2024 shows that the number of HPR bite cases in Indonesia reached 185,359 cases, with 122 deaths due to rabies in humans. Meanwhile, from January to March 7, 2025, there have been 13,453 cases of HPR bites and 25 deaths from rabies.

Responding to this condition, Plt. Director General of Disease Management of the Ministry of Health, drg. Murti Utami emphasized the importance of increasing vigilance in all levels of society and health facilities.

"Rabies is still a serious threat in Indonesia, especially in endemic areas. Therefore, preventive and control measures must be strengthened," drg. Murti Utami, quoted from the Health page of the Ministry of Health.

"We urge the public to immediately wash bite wounds with soap and running water for 15 minutes, then visit the nearest health facility to get the Anti Rabies Vaccine (VAR) as soon as possible," he continued.

In the Circular issued, the Ministry of Health emphasized the need for stricter prevention efforts and cross-sectoral coordination to control the HPR population. A number of steps instructed to the Health Office throughout Indonesia include:

1. Improve health promotion and education related to rabies

- The public needs to be given a wider understanding of rabies, how it spreads, and how to prevent it.

- This education can be done through various media, such as direct counseling, digital campaigns, and community involvement.

2. Strengthen rabies surveillance and control risk factors

- Monitoring of HPR bite cases and the spread of rabies must be tightened.

- Control of wild and unvaccinated animal populations also needs to be done to reduce the risk of transmission.

3. Ensure the readiness of health facilities in handling cases of HPR bites

- Health centers, hospitals, and clinics must have trained medical personnel in handling rabies cases.

- The availability of medical equipment and supporting facilities must be ensured to be sufficient.

4. Recording and reporting of rabies cases on a regular basis

- Accurate and up-to-date data are very important to monitor the trend of rabies spread.

- Routine reports allow governments to design more effective strategies to tackle the rabies outbreak.

In addition to the steps taken by the government and health facilities, the public also has an important role in preventing the spread of rabies. Some of the actions that can be taken include:

- Reporting animals showing rabies symptoms to authorities, such as the livestock service or local health.

- Immediately wash bite wounds with soap and running water for 15 minutes to reduce the risk of infection.

- Visit health facilities to get the Anti Rabies Vaccine (VAR) as soon as possible.

- Provide rabies vaccine to pets regularly to avoid transmission of this disease.

"We also ask health facilities to ensure the availability of vaccine stocks and anti-rabies serum, so that people in need can immediately receive treatment without problems. In addition, pet owners are required to provide regular rabies vaccinations to prevent the spread of this disease." he added.