Indonesia: Disease Outbreak Drill Boosts Regional Response

Indonesia participated in the International Health Regulations (IHR) Exercise Crystal on December 3, 2025, alongside 30 other countries and areas in the WHO Western Pacific Region, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening public health security and rapid response capabilities.

Indonesia Participates in IHR Exercise Crystal

Timely detection and rapid response to outbreak-prone diseases are ongoing public health challenges, particularly with the potential for international spread within hours. Indonesia is committed to implementing the International Health Regulations (2005), which outline the rights and obligations of States Parties concerning public health risks. These regulations require the establishment and maintenance of a National Focal Point (NFP) function to coordinate responses to potential Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) events.

The IHR Exercise Crystal simulated a scenario involving zoonotic diseases – those that spread from animals to humans and then between people. Participants practiced real-time disease signal detection and monitoring, rumor verification, risk assessment, and communication with international partners to ensure a prompt response.

During the exercise, Indonesian Ministry of Health officials issued preparedness notices, alerted frontline workers, and coordinated with airports, seaports, ground crossings, hospitals, primary care facilities, and laboratories. Collaboration also extended to animal, environment, and wildlife sectors. The exercise highlighted coordination between surveillance and laboratories, including sample collection, shipment, and testing, as well as activating response plans and deploying rapid response teams.

Indonesia utilized the Event Information Site, an international platform for sharing updates among IHR NFPs on potential PHEIC events. Officials maintained transparent communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding events exhibiting unusual patterns, severity, or risks of international spread.

“The IHR event communication exercise provided valuable lessons for strengthening multisectoral coordination,” stated Dewi Sartika, Expert Associate Health Administrator at the Directorate Surveillance and Health Quarantine, Ministry of Health. “Rapid and well-organized communication and information-sharing across sectors remain essential for early detection and effective public health response.”

Indonesia team during the IHR Exercise Crystal. Credit: Ministry of Health

Improving disease preparedness is crucial for protecting both public health and economic stability in Indonesia. Rapid detection and response can prevent outbreaks from escalating into major epidemics that disrupt trade, tourism, and daily life. The exercise reinforced the 7-1-7 approach: detecting suspected outbreaks within seven days, notifying public health authorities within one day, and completing initial response actions within seven days.

Lessons learned from Exercise Crystal will inform improvements to Indonesia’s National Action Plan for Health Security, including maintaining updated contact databases and expanding engagement with relevant sectors in future preparedness activities.