During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some countries, including Indonesia, have faced a double burden with regards to disease control. As Indonesia is a tropical country, it serves as a suitable host for disease vectors and multiple microorganisms of causative agents of disease. In total, five of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) should be a consideration in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic, including leprosy, yaws, filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis. The present review summarises the preparedness of Indonesia in facing NTDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening government leadership will be a valuable factor for combating NTDs in Indonesia. For instance, strong leadership can lead to precise management, by increasing the number of health facilities, engaging in active case identification, conducting health campaigns and instituting new regulations to prevent the stigmatization faced by patients. Preventive medicine in the first level of health facilities can be prioritized and presented to the community via health campaigns, health advocacy and improvement in follow-up after active case surveillance. Government-supported integrated management is also a key component in eliminating NTD. Moreover, healthy lifestyle campaigns that include social distancing, wearing a mask and regularly washing hands should be promoted continuously to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, which is potentially associated with a poor outcome in individuals with NTDs. This review concluded that the Indonesian government should strengthen their efforts toward NTD control using alternative methods, such as involving key citizens in the collaboration of the detection of new cases and introducing mobile health as a means of detecting health problems or following up on patient progress. To reduce the transmission of COVID-19, testing, tracing and treatment must be improved, so that the gap between suspected cases and confirmed cases of COVID-19 can be closed. If the transmission of COVID-19 can be decreased, case detection and efforts toward NTD control can be conducted effectively.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ectoparasite infestation among stray cats around Surabaya traditional markets. A total of 305 stray cats were collected around 17 traditional markets in Surabaya City and were examined for the presence of fleas with a fine-toothed flea comb. Surveys were conducted during May-June 2019. 228 of 305 stray cats (74.75%) were infested with one species of ectoparasite. The average number of C. felis in every cat was 2.54, while the number of F. subrostratus in every cat was 0.33. Additional data about the gender, pregnancy/maternity, and bodyweight of every cat were recorded. The result of chi-square test shows that there is a significant difference between gender, pregnancy status, and bodyweight by the occurrence of ectoparasites (p=0.008; p=0.00; p=0.00). A total of 878 ectoparasites consisting of flea and lices, namely Ctenocephalides felis (88.27%) as the dominant ectoparasite, followed by Felicola subrostratus (11.73%). The highest infection rate (prevalence) of ectoparasite was found in Pucang Market (16.81%), while the lowest prevalence was found in Mulyorejo Market (0.8%). Coinfection was observed in only a few cats (1.63%). Multiple Regression showed that pregnancy is the most influential factor in the occurrence of fleas (p=0.000). These results should be taken into account among health workers to prevent a possible outbreak of zoonotic diseases caused by fleas.

Inadequate latrine and water source cause transmission of intestinal parasitic infection, particularly in children. There is a lack information about it and it is needed to be investigated. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection, the use of latrine and clean water source in elementary school children at coastal and non-coastal areas in Sumenep District, Indonesia. An analytic observational study with cross sectional design was conducted in Dasuk Timur Elementary School located at coastal area, and Kolor II Elementary School at non-coastal area, Sumenep district, in January 2020. Intestinal parasites in students’ stools were identified by microscopic examination using wet direct smear stained with lugol. The use of latrine and water sources were analyzed with questionnaire. A total of 68 children stools were collected from both elementary schools. Worm infections were not found. Thirty-one children (31/44, 70.5%) from Dasuk Timur Elementary School and eight children (8/24, 33.3%) from Kolor II Elementary School were infected with intestinal protozoan and significant difference (P=0.003, Chi-square test). Blastocystis hominis was highly found in stools of Dasuk Timur Elementary School’s students (31/44, 70.5%) and significantly different from Kolor II Elementary School’s students (P<0.0001, Chi-square test). Three children (3/44, 6.8%) from Dasuk Timur Elementary School were still practicing open defecation. Dasuk Timur Elementary School’s students suffered from intestinal parasitic infection were mostly using non-piped water source (20/31, 64.5%) and were significantly different between two elementary schools (P=0.015, Fisher’s exact test). Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children was found higher in coastal than non-coastal area due to the commonly use of unclean water sources and inadequate latrine.

Introduction: Anopheles mosquito is transmitting malaria, one of the health problems in Indonesia. Understanding Anopheles mosquito behaviour and its breeding preference is one of the crucial keys to prevent malaria transmission. This study aimed to identify the breeding place distribution and bionomics of Anopheles spp. in Runut village, Sikka district, East Nusa Tenggara. Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted in Runut village, Waigete sub- district, in April 2018. Anopheles spp. larvae were collected in 7 suspected breeding places consisting of 2 rice fields, 3 fish ponds, and 2 puddles. Mosquitos behaviour was observed using bed-net traps located inside and outside the house from 7.15 PM to 1.15 AM after obtaining informed consent. Mosquito collection using bed-net trap were performed for 40 minutes then followed by resting mosquito collection for 10 minutes. Results: Anopheles spp. larvae were found in most of the suspected aquatic habitats, presenting different densities and together with larvae of the other mosquito species. Relatively high number of Anopheles spp. larvae was obtained from a puddle. Only one female mosquito of Anopheles spp. resting on the wall inside house was found around 00.55 – 01.05 AM and resulted in low mosquito density determination. Conclusion: Anopheles spp. larvae were harbouring in most of the aquatic habitats and one puddle contained moderately abundant larvae of Anopheles in Runut village, Sikka district, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Even only one Anopheles spp. mosquito was detected inside the house, residents in Runut village should regular use insecticide-treated bed nets and continuous observation of mosquito breeding places especially puddles to prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.