The winner of the rabies drawing competition from the targeted zoonosis education school presents their artwork in front of the Acting Governor of West Java (©FAO/Eko Prianto)

Sukabumi, 3 October 2024 - In a significant stride towards a rabies-free Indonesia, the West Java Provincial Government and the Sukabumi Regency Government, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture (DGLAHS MoA), supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), celebrated World Rabies Day 2024. This event underscores Indonesia's commitment to eliminating rabies and achieving zero dog-mediated human rabies in Indonesia by 2030.

Aligned with this year’s theme, "Breaking Rabies Boundaries," Indonesia is embracing the One Health approach, fostering multisectoral collaboration to overcome boundaries that are currently inhibiting our progress in eliminating rabies. Effective control of zoonotic diseases, including rabies, requires active participation from both central and local government level, engagement of all relevant stakeholders, and adherence to national laws and regulations. This ensures that efforts are coordinated at all levels—from field staff to decision-makers. World Rabies Day serves as a crucial platform to showcase these collaborative efforts.

Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin, reaffirmed the West Java government commitment on rabies elimination. "World Rabies Day is not just a day of recognition, it is a call to action to remind us of the collective responsibility we share in combating this preventable disease. As we celebrate this day, we reflect on our achievements in breaking the cycle of rabies through vaccination, education, and community engagement,” said Machmudin.

Director of General Livestock and Animal Health Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Agung Suganda said, “The One Health approach is crucial in our battle against rabies and other zoonotic diseases. The initiative from West Java Province reflects the commitment of local governments, aligning with the Ministry's vision for rabies elimination. This makes the roadmap for rabies elimination in Java Island by 2029, which we call JAWARA 2029 (Jawa Bebas Rabies 2029), increasingly strategic and clear, serving as a guide in our efforts to achieve zero human rabies cases by 2030 across Java Island. By collaborating across various sectors and actively engaging communities, we can create a safer environment where rabies is no longer a threat. We hope this will serve as a benchmark for designing rabies elimination efforts in other regions, empowering all parties involved.”

Sukabumi Regent, Marwan Hamami stated, “The fight against rabies is not just a local issue, it is a national and even global concern. Building resilience in our communities is essential for effective rabies elimination. By leveraging the strengths of diverse sectors involved, we can develop more effective and sustainable solutions. We hope that Sukabumi Regency will be free from rabies through preventive efforts to address it.”

FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste emphasised the importance of collaboration in the effort to eliminate rabies. “Our commitment to supporting the elimination of rabies in Indonesia goes beyond a mere goal. It involves fostering critical thinking about health and safety while empowering leaders and diverse stakeholders to actively combat this disease. Together with the Government of Indonesia, we are building a framework that not only addresses this critical issue but also strengthens our overall public health system,” Aryal stated.

“The United States is proud to partner with Indonesia to strengthen its capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to the threat of rabies and other infectious diseases,” said Sara Heydari, Deputy Health Director at USAID Indonesia. “Together, we are enhancing Indonesia’s collaboration among Indonesia’s animal, human, and the environmental health sectors to address global health challenges.”

This year's World Rabies Day celebration in Sukabumi features a variety of activities aimed at raising awareness and promoting rabies prevention that demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to combating rabies. Key activities include student competitions focused on rabies awareness, training sessions for field officers on rabies response, distribution of the integrated zoonoses information application to local governments, the launch of community zoonoses cadres, and the introduction of JAWARA, or a roadmap for eliminating rabies on Java Island by 2029. 

As Indonesia strives towards a rabies-free future, the Indonesian government, FAO, and all stakeholders invite everyone to participate in this important mission to break the barriers that hinder our progress and create a healthier future for all.