A review on monitoring emerging viruses in Indonesia in the post-COVID-19 era

The emergence of new zoonotic viruses such as SARS-CoV has been a concern for public health since the 1990s. The latest COVID-19 outbreak has proven to be a devastating threat not only to human survival but also to national economies in the 21st century. This outbreak has underscored the necessity for enhanced risk assessment and surveillance of zoonotic diseases, demanding increased attention from the government and stakeholders. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak being contained in several countries, the threat of other emerging viruses still exists. Indonesia, home to extensive biodiversity, including one of the world’s largest bat populations, represents a recognized hotspot for viral emergence. Rapid population growth, land-use change, deforestation, wildlife-livestock-human interface expansion, cultural practices, and climate-driven ecological shifts further increase the likelihood of zoonotic spillover events. Despite these risks, viral surveillance in Indonesia remains limited, resulting in under-detection of zoonotic threats. This review synthesizes current evidence, comprehensive landscape on key virus groups of concern in Indonesia, including Coronaviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae (avian influenza virus), Flaviviridae, Filoviridae, Hantaviridae, Rhabdoviridae (lyssavirus), Herpesviridae, Poxviridae (monkeypox virus), Reoviridae, and Hepeviridae (hepatitis E virus). We highlight their prevalence, reservoir hosts, ecological drivers, challenges, and opportunities for improved surveillance to enhance early detection and mitigate future pandemic threats.