FETPV animal disease “detectives”

Yogyakarta (June 25, 2019) - A total of 19 veterinarians from all over Indonesia are now equipped with detective-like skills, which enables investigation of animal disease outbreaks whenever needed. This is the result of the Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (FETPV/ or PELVI) organized by the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) and the Cinagara Animal Health Training Center, Ministry of Agriculture together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The modular training which began in April 2018 is supported by USAID, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Alert Asia Foundation.

"These animal disease detectives will provide much-needed scientific data for use by the government in formulating effective animal health policies. Animal disease threats may disrupt food production in livestock, and spread diseases to humans," said Fadjar Sumping Tjatur Rasa, Director of Animal Health, Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS), Ministry of Agriculture during the graduation ceremony of 19 veterinary field epidemiologists in Yogyakarta yesterday (6/24/2019).

The two "detectives" who served at the Wates Disease Investigation Center, Endang Ruhiat and Dwi Hari Susanto told about their involvement in investigating remerging cases of anthrax in Yogyakarta in May 2019. "In the past, we focused more on taking and testing samples for confirmation of diagnosis, for example soil samples during anthrax investigations. Now after FETPV training, we understand the big picture better. We can go further in understanding specific field conditions and can conduct rigorous disease outbreak investigations, from field work to making recommendations on disease control and prevention, "he said.

Dr. Juliette Morgan, Director of the US CDC in Indonesia explained that three out of four new infectious diseases are transmitted from animals to humans or are zoonotic. Animal disease “detectives” with their epidemiological skills are on the frontline to prevent disease transmission that can be a global health threat".

Dr. James McGrane, Team Leader of the FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (FAO ECTAD) explained the importance of strengthening the investigation of zoonotic diseases for Indonesia which is strategically located on human and animal movement routes. "The Ministry of Agriculture and FAO ECTAD have worked together for the past 13 years so that livestock, farmers and the general public are protected from zoonotic diseases. Furthermore, we hope to support the government to train more animal disease detectives to strengthen Provincial and District-level animal health services.”

Following their training through four modules since April 2018, 16 of the 19 epidemiologists will return to duty in eight DGLAHS Disease Investigation Centers whose scope of work covers all provinces in Indonesia. The remaining three will serve at the Animal Product Quality and Certification Control Center (BPMSPH), the Cinagara Animal Health Training Center, and the West Kalimantan Provincial Livestock and Animal Health Services Office. In the meantime, they have also shared their knowledge with colleagues in their respective work units to increase preparedness against animal diseases.