Bantul, Indonesia – February 19, 2025 – In a proactive public health initiative, students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) collaborated with the Bantul District Health Office and the Yogyakarta Public Health Laboratory Center (BBLABKESMAS) to conduct rodent surveillance in Beran Hamlet, Canden Village, Jetis Subdistrict, Bantul Regency. This joint effort was initiated following confirmed human cases of leptospirosis and hantavirus in the area, with the infections suspected to have also affected other family and community members.
The surveillance began on Tuesday, February 18, with the placement of 50 single-live rat traps. As a result, nine traps captured rats (Rattus spp.) and two traps captured Asian house shrews (Suncus murinus), both considered potential reservoirs of disease.
The student research team comprised Dita Dwi Putri, Zahwa Khoirun Nisa, Dhiyaa Sekar Hanum, Shaila Revita Zahra, and Trissa Amalia Putri and Rizky Nur Endah Sari. Their participation is part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Research Program, supervised by Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, B.Sc., DAP&E, M.Biomed.
Moving forward, molecular analysis will be conducted on the captured specimens to detect the presence of Leptospira bacteria and hantavirus, providing crucial data to inform future public health responses. This initiative reinforces the Faculty of Biology UGM’s dedication to community welfare and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDGs No 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDGs No 4: Quality Education, SDGs No 15: Life on Land, and SDGs No 17: Partnerships for the Goals.