Preliminary bat ectoparasite findings in Soppeng, Indonesia: implications for One Health surveillance

Abstract Background Bats harbor diverse microorganisms, and their obligate ectoparasites may provide an underused surveillance layer at human–wildlife interfaces. This study assessed bat ectoparasite infestation in Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi, and contextualized environmental-health vulnerability using Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023 indicators. Methodology A cross-sectional ecological field and laboratory study examined ten bats from Taman Kalong, an urban bat roost in Watansoppeng, Soppeng Regency. Bats were inspected externally, and their fur and wing membranes were combed. Ectoparasites were preserved in 70% ethanol and examined stereomicroscopically. Infestation prevalence was calculated with an exact binomial 95% confidence interval, while abundance and intensity were summarized descriptively. Provincial SKI 2023 indicators were used only as contextual data. Results Ectoparasites were detected in all ten examined bats, corresponding to an observed sample proportion of 100.0% (10/10; exact 95% CI: 69.2–100.0%). Thirty-four ectoparasites were collected, with 2–6 specimens per bat and mean abundance and mean intensity of 3.4. Representative specimens were morphologically consistent with Nycteribiidae, with selected specimens provisionally identified as Eucampsipoda cf. sundaica . SKI indicators showed high basic drinking-water access but important gaps in safely managed sanitation, wastewater management, and household solid-waste management. Conclusions Detection of ectoparasites in all ten examined bats provides preliminary descriptive evidence of a bat–ectoparasite association at the sampled urban roost. The finding should not be generalized to the wider bat population of Soppeng Regency. Integrating host-resolved sampling, ectoparasite monitoring, local environmental data, molecular identification, and targeted pathogen screening may strengthen future One Health surveillance.