Four Residents in Gunungkidul Test Positive for Anthrax After Consuming Carcass
Four residents of Dadapayu, Semanu, Gunungkidul, have tested positive for anthrax after slaughtering and consuming a goat that died suddenly. The Gunungkidul Health Office (Dinkes) has identified an additional 47 people who are considered part of the population at risk of exposure.
The Head of the Gunungkidul Health Office, Ismono, stated that the case began when a resident visited a community health centre (Puskesmas) presenting with clinical symptoms of anthrax. Following an epidemiological investigation, seven individuals were identified as anthrax suspects.
“Initially, a resident visited the Puskesmas and presented with clinical symptoms of anthrax. After an epidemiological investigation, seven people were identified as anthrax suspects,” Ismono said when contacted on Thursday (1/10/2026).
The incident occurred in early September 2026. The seven individuals were known to have had direct contact with a goat that had become weak and subsequently died suddenly.
“Subsequently, those seven individuals underwent PCR testing, and the results confirmed that four people were positive for anthrax,” he added.
The Gunungkidul Health Office then traced other residents who had a history of contact with the goat. The investigation revealed 47 people at risk of anthorest exposure.
“Therefore, those 47 people have a history of exposure to animals or animal products derived from the goat that died suddenly,” he said.
Ismono noted that the four residents who tested positive for anthrax have undergone treatment and are gradually recovering. Meanwhile, the 47 individuals in the at-risk population remain under observation by the Health Office.
“The confirmed patients have been treated and have recovered, while the at-risk population has all been given prophylactic antibiotics. Furthermore, the at-risk population will continue to be monitored for 60 days, or twice the incubation period,” he said.
According to Ismono, the administration of prophylactic antibiotics and health monitoring is being conducted to prevent additional cases from emerging.
“We are also providing education to the community regarding the dangers of slaughtering, processing, or consuming animals that are sick or die suddenly. We also emphasise the importance of immediate reporting if livestock deaths of unknown causes are discovered,” he said.
Soil Samples from Slaughter Site Test Positive for Anthrax
The Gunungkidul Regency Food and Agriculture Office (DPP) also conducted inspections at the goat slaughter site. The team took soil samples for testing after receiving reports that four residents were exposed to anthrax on 11 September 2026.
“We received a report that four people were exposed to anthrax on 11 September (2026), and our team immediately went to the location to conduct surveillance,” said the Head of the Gunungkidul DPP, Rismiyadi, when contacted on Thursday (1/10).
Surveillance was carried out by testing and inspecting the livestock slaughter site. The Gunungkidul DPP also performed sterilisation by applying formalin and conducting livestock vaccinations.
“After the surveillance, the results showed the livestock was sick, and it turns out the owner slaughtered it, even consumed it and ‘brandu’ (shared the meat). Our team took soil and meat samples, and some of the meat samples were already in a frying pan,” he said.
Rismiyadi expressed regret over the ‘brandu’ tradition, where meat from dead animals is shared among neighbours, which is still practised by the community. He stated that the Gunungkidul DPP has repeatedly provided education to the residents of Dadapayu.
“In truth, we have frequently visited that area to provide education, even using traditional arts like Wayang puppetry. However, changing public awareness remains a challenge,” he said.
Rismiyadi noted that the community could actually receive compensation if they reported livestock that died suddenly. Socialisation regarding this compensation has also been repeatedly conducted by the Gunungkidul DPP.
“If animals are sick or die and are buried, and then reported, they can actually receive compensation from the regency government. But they are still hesitant (calculating the loss), so when they are sick, they slaughter them first, then eat and share the meat,” he said.
The Head of the Animal Health Division of the Gunungkidul DPP, Retno Widyastuti, added that the results of the soil sample tests from the slaughter site were released on Thursday.
“The soil tested positive for anthrax. The results only came out today (Thursday),” she said.