JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health asks the public to increase vigilance against the potential transmission of zoonosis diseases from livestock ahead of Eid al-Adha 2026. The most highlighted threat is anthrax disease which can be transmitted through the slaughter process until the consumption of sacrificial meat which is not properly processed.
Acting Director General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health Andi Saguni said that the risk of disease transmission from livestock is still a concern every Eid al-Adha season.
"The Ministry of Health conveys the need for vigilance against zoonotic diseases from livestock during the Eid al-Adha holiday," said Andi, Wednesday, May 13.
According to him, anthrax is the main disease that needs to be anticipated by the community. The disease is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis which can form spores and survive for a long time in the environment.
"Anthrax disease is the main zoonotic disease of livestock that requires vigilance during the Eid al-Adha holiday," said Andi.
He explained that anthrax transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals, inhaling air contaminated with spores, to eating meat that is not perfectly cooked.
"This spore survives for quite a long time in the environment and can also be found in waste rather than the animal cutting process," he said.
The Ministry of Health noted the trend of anthrax cases in humans in recent years has begun to decline. In 2023 there were 81 cases with three deaths. The figure dropped to one death in 2024, while throughout 2025 to mid-2026 no deaths were found.
However, the government still asks the public not to be complacent. Because, in addition to skin anthrax which is most commonly found, there are also more severe and fatal types of gastrointestinal anthrax and meningitis.
"The death cases generally come from anthrax meningitis that is inflamed in the brain and severe and rapidly developing gastrointestinal anthrax," he said.
In addition to reminding people about the transmission of diseases, the Ministry of Health also asked the public to pay attention to how to store sacrificial meat so that it is not contaminated with bacteria.
Andi said that the sacrificial meat distributed must be ensured to be in a fresh state before being processed or stored. He advised that the meat should be cooked immediately after receiving it. However, if it is not processed, the meat must be stored at a cold temperature so that the quality is maintained.
"If it is not cooked, the sacrificial meat must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of less than 5 degrees Celsius and this can last up to 4 days," he said.
For long-term storage, it is recommended that meat be put in a freezer with a temperature of minus 18 to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
The Ministry of Health also reminds the public to cook the meat until it is completely cooked to kill the bacteria that cause the disease. Meanwhile, the remaining cooked meat should be divided into small portions before being stored back in the refrigerator.
"The rest of the cooked meat is divided into small portions to be stored at refrigerator temperature and can be taken the next day as needed," he added.
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