North Sumatra Strengthens Rapid Response Teams to Combat Bird Flu Threat

MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – The Provincial Government of North Sumatra has intensified its preventive measures against zoonotic diseases, particularly Avian Influenza, by strengthening Tim Gerak Cepat (TGC) or Rapid Response Teams at both provincial and district levels. The initiative aims to enhance early warning systems and ensure swift, coordinated action in the event of an outbreak.

The program is being implemented through a four-day workshop focused on reinforcing rapid response capacities for provincial and district-level teams in joint outbreak investigations and responses to potential bird flu cases. The event is held from June 9 to 12, 2026, at Santika Diandra Hotel in Medan, bringing together a wide range of cross-sector stakeholders.

Strengthening Cross-Sector Collaboration

Acting Provincial Secretary of North Sumatra, Sulaiman Harahap, officially opened the workshop and highlighted the importance of multi-agency cooperation. He expressed appreciation for the support of Indonesia's Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as international partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Health Security Partners (HSP), which continue to strengthen zoonotic disease surveillance systems in the region.

Sulaiman stressed that avian influenza remains a significant global health threat, particularly with the emergence of new viral variants that demand heightened vigilance and coordinated action across sectors.

"The global situation shows the emergence of new virus variants. Therefore, we must not lower our guard. Rapid field investigations and cross-sector coordination must be continuously strengthened to prevent potential transmission at an early stage," he said.

One Health Approach as the Core Strategy

He further noted that North Sumatra faces a relatively higher risk of zoonotic disease transmission due to its dense livestock activities, trade flows, and high population mobility. As such, strengthening the public health system has become a key priority.

The provincial government continues to adopt the One Health approach, integrating human health, animal health, and environmental health into a unified framework.

"Zoonotic disease control cannot be carried out in silos. We need strong collaboration between the health sector, veterinary authorities, academia, hospitals, local governments, and international partners. Only through this synergy can our early detection and response capabilities be significantly improved," Sulaiman added.

The outcomes of the workshop are expected to be incorporated into future provincial planning and budgeting to ensure sustainable implementation.

Strengthening Response Teams in Priority Areas

Workshop committee chairperson Windy explained that the program is being conducted over four days with 47 participants representing various sectors. The initiative is supported by Health Security Partners Indonesia.

The focus is placed on three high-density and high-mobility regions: Medan, Pematangsiantar, and Deli Serdang.

Participating institutions include Haji Adam Malik Central General Hospital in Medan, the Medan Center for Environmental Health and Disease Control, the North Sumatra Livestock and Animal Health Agency, as well as professional associations and international partner organizations.

Through this initiative, the region aims to strengthen its health resilience, improve cross-sector coordination, and develop concrete technical recommendations for preventing and managing avian influenza outbreaks. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala

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