Barantin Tightens Horse Transport to Prevent Surra Spread

RRI.CO.ID, Lamongan - The Indonesian Quarantine Agency has tightened supervision of horse transport between regions to prevent the spread of Surra, a disease caused by the blood parasite Trypanosoma evansi that can weaken animals and lead to death. In its latest action, the East Java Quarantine Office carried out quarantine measures on four horses from Kediri that were being shipped to Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, on Monday, September 7, 2026.

The inspection was conducted to ensure the horses met health requirements and would not become carriers of disease to their destination region. Surra is one of the diseases that must be closely monitored during horse transport, as horses are highly susceptible to infection.

Surra is typically transmitted through the bite of blood-sucking flies such as Tabanus, Chrysops, and Haematopota. Infected animals may show a range of symptoms, including fever, weakness, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, anemia, and swelling in certain parts of the body, which in severe cases can result in death.

However, infected animals do not always display symptoms that are easy to detect. This is why health screening prior to transport plays a critical role in preventing the disease from spreading between regions.

Acting Head of East Java Quarantine Hudiansyah Is Nursal stressed that vigilance against animal diseases must be applied to every livestock shipment. "Quarantine plays a role in preventing the entry, exit, and spread of animal diseases," he said.

He added that quarantine checks are also necessary to confirm that animals meet health requirements before entering their destination area. “Through quarantine measures, the risk of disease transmission can be reduced,” he said.

Oversight of Surra is not only about protecting animal health, but also carries economic implications. The disease can cause financial losses for owners due to declining animal condition and productivity, as well as the risk of death.

East Java Quarantine has called on horse owners and the public to ensure their animals' health before transporting them between regions and to report shipments to quarantine officers. Through pre-departure inspections, authorities hope livestock transport will not become a channel for disease spread that could threaten animal populations in destination areas.